Our Idea
We want to build a giant Koala statue that will serve as a mascot for the Townsville Cultural Fest. The Koala statue will be 4.5m high, 4.5m long and 3m wide. The statue will also be paraded through the streets of Townsville as part of the Carnival Parade the week before the festival. The Koala is a unique Australian animal which provides a common ground to all who call this wonderful continent home. Therefore, the Koala perfectly symbolises the festival theme of "Unity in Diversity". Whether you have only just arrived in Australia or you have lived here through the dreamtime as Aboriginal people of this land did, we all relate to the Koala in a positive way.
Not only is the Koala an iconic Australian figure around the world, but in many ways the Koala can be used an indicator of how we have treated our environment and its inhabitants. If the Koala is in trouble, then we surely are. As a threatened Australian species, the Koala should be an example of what our chances are as humans to survive with the level of abuse and environmental disasters that we have inflicted on our planet. The mascot will serve as a reminder to everyone that we need to take care of what we have, or risk losing it forever.
About the Festival
The Townsville Cultural Festival is a self-funded project that has lost the financial support of the Government and corporate sponsors over the last few years due to the tough economic climate. The festival is now in its 24th year and is of vital importance to the North Queensland region, especially as it is the only event that brings everyone together, regardless of background. The Townsville Cultural Fest provides an opportunity for local community groups to showcase their culture through dance, music, food, art and much more.
About the Artist
Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM has been sculpting monuments for over 20 years in the North Queensland region. His work has become extremely popular in the local communities in which they are situated, many of them having been built in partnership with local community elders and leaders, councils and organisations. Dr Daliri focuses on creating something that is meaningful for the community; something that can be cherished long after they are built.
The Gubulla Munda Totem at Plantation Park in Ayr (pictured above), is a perfect example of Dr Daliri's work. This 61 metre long carpet snake is an Aboriginal totem and the protective spirit for the Birri Gubba people; it holds sacred cultural and spiritual significance to the Traditional Owners. The creation of this impressive monument involved working hand in hand with local Indigenous elders throughout the project. The monument was painted by local aboriginal artists and was created to celebrate and promote indigenous culture.
The video below showcases more of the giant sculptures created by Dr Farvardin Daliri in the North Queensland region over the past 20 years.
Some highlights from the video are:
- A 10 metre long 20 ton crocodile monument by the Bruce Highway at Billabong Sanctuary (17km south of Townsville), which is now a roadside tourist attraction.
- A giant Buddha statue situated at the Townsville Buddhist Temple north of Townsville.
- A Johnathan Thurston sculpture in Townsville, honouring the legendary Rugby League player who is a hero in the region for both his efforts on and off the field of play. The 4 metre high sculpture sits proudly alongside a busy road in Townsville, where people can visit and take photos.
How can I help?
You can contribute towards the creation of this Koala mascot by making a donation through this page. You will be directly supporting the construction cost of the mascot and in turn supporting a great community event that has been promoting unity for over two decades.
Connect with us
If you would like to find out more about what we do or get in touch with us, you can do so through the links below:
