Millicent Domain Marker Statement

Construction of the Millicent Domain Marker Statement commenced on 16 August 2021.

The project is funded by the Federal Government under the Open Space and Places for People program.

The artwork seeks to express and celebrate Millicent as a significant rural centre renowned for its wind farms, water resources and primary production. It seeks to activate the vibrancy of community and visitor engagement in the area. This large eye-catching entry statement responds to the themes of wind and water to accentuate the Domain Precinct and complements the trees, plants, and landscaping.

The sculptural element of the hand seeks to connect with community and visitors alike through bringing in a human aspect, aiding in engaging people to stop, reflect and participate in their surroundings. Extending beyond the fingers is an abstract form expressing wind and water. The top section of the artwork, being the kinetic element, acting like a wind vane, creating a changing dynamic as it responds to the prevailing winds. The landscaping surrounding the artwork also connects to the notion of water through surrounding mounded forms which evolve a sense of flowing water across the grounds. This reflects the drainage channels and water ‘features’ that have enhanced the productivity of the areas. Onto these mounds planted ground covers and further landscaping design will be added to enhance the overall artwork.

The artwork will be universally accessible, inclusive for the diverse range of the park’s users, children, adults, visitors, and broader community. The artwork is suitable for an unsupervised 24/7 all-weather environment and will be oriented ensuring it is legible at distance from traffic on the Williams Road approaches and in detail at a pedestrian level. The artwork will be activated at night by inground low voltage LED lighting.

Final installation of the artwork is planned in October 2021.

Council is planning an event later this year to commemorate the completion of all the elements in the Domain precinct. Council is also actively seeking inputs from Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation on improving the landscape surrounding the proposed sculpture, including incorporating some of the local indigenous stories and narratives, sourcing of plants that are propagated by aboriginal elders, and potentially organising cultural services such as a smoking ceremony and artistic performances as a part of the official opening of the sculpture and the Domain nature playground.