Soldier crabs invade Lammermoor to delight visitors

Local artist Brendon Tohill spent two years creating the crab sculptures commissioned through Livingstone Shire Council’s 2020 Placemaking Program funding.

He said he chose soldier crabs for the project because while the crustaceans are commonly seen along Lammermoor Beach most people know very little about them and I wanted to create something for people of all ages to enjoy.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of creating these intricate sculptures for the community’s appreciation. I expect the crabs will be particularly popular with children,” Mr. Tohill said.

“It took a lot of time and care to create the legs and pincers in particular, and it’s wonderful to receive such positive feedback from the public during the installation process.”

Mr. Tohill has previously worked with the Council on the creation of two other bronze sculptures; an octopus that sprawls across a Normanby Street bench, and a green turtle on the foreshore of Yeppoon Main Beach.

Councillor Rhodes Watson, Portfolio Holder of Vibrant Community, said the sculptures will help to further activate an already popular walking trail within the shire. The sculptures are also contributing to the community’s growing reputation as a ‘must visit’ location for public art enthusiasts and tourists in general.

“The Lammermoor shared pathway is an extremely popular recreation route and this placemaking project helps create an interactive element that kids and adults, locals and visitors will enjoy for many years to come,” Cr Watson said.

“It’s the kind of installation that people want to engage with again and again.

“Council has received lovely feedback from members of the public who’ve taken their families to visit the unique sculptures.”

“Generally, the crabs along with the new wildlife murals have attracted an overwhelmingly positive response from everyone who has taken the time to observe or interact with the artists and the artwork.  The locals are particularly proud of these new additions to their communities. Numerous tourists have commented on how amazed they are by the public artwork in the region and how much its presence has enhanced their experience and feedback to people in their circle of influence.”

To round out the crabs’ educational value, signage has been installed to provide more information about soldier crabs, with a bit of a twist.