Showcase art and public sculpture now on show at Kerr Park’s signature playground

Kerr Park’s signature playground on Emu Park’s beloved foreshore now showcases art and public sculpture thanks to Bendigo Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation, Livingstone Shire Council and Emu Park Surf Life Saving Club Inc.

Portfolio Holder of Healthy and Vibrant Communities, Councillor Pat Eastwood, said the unique emu heads were designed and produced collaboratively by local artist, Bill Gannon, Rockhampton Manufacturing Hub and Penti-M Engineering Australia.

“They used their skill, expertise, and their 5-axis CNC machine to produce these complex masterpieces from billet aluminium,” Cr Eastwood said.

“They created, designed, and modelled the different heads in SolidWorks, generating the CNC programs and tool paths using HyperMill and machining the billet aluminium.

“We had the pleasure of installing the artwork on March 31, just in time for the Easter holiday period.”

The colourful sculptures complement the playground’s array of play equipment including the Alpha tower, double Flying Fox, all-abilities swing, a Galleon ship, and other imaginative rides.

Cr Eastwood said the park was originally built to create an inviting space for the whole community.

“The $4.99 million project commenced mid 2019 as part of Stage 3 of the Emu Park Village and Foreshore Revitalisation Project,” he said.

“The park is now a recreational drawcard for thousands of visitors and locals.

Cr Eastwood said it is wonderful to see community-based art in a community settings such as this.

“I think the emu heads will be well-received within the community,” he said.