January 17, 2017
The original St Patrick made his famous journey from Britain to Ireland in the 5th century … Nanango’s version has now made almost as important a journey, although a lot more recently!
A carved sandstone statue of the famous Irish saint, which has been taking shape at Nanango Showgrounds for 12 months, was transferred to its new home at St Patrick’s Catholic School on Tuesday.
Sculptor David White was assisted by volunteers from the Nanango community who supplied a truck and a forklift, including Terry Mackrell from the Nanango Tourism and Development Association.
David said St Patrick’s principal Matthew Vine had approached him to make the statue of St Patrick as well as a shamrock-shaped area in between the school buildings.
The shamrock space was finished in April last year and is now a focal point for the school.
The statue has taken a bit longer, and is still not quite finished, with some work on the base and eyes to be completed.
David said he also still had to add in St Patrick’s staff (or crosier) as well as a shamrock.
“The students will create the three-leaf clover in aluminium; I try to get the kids involved as much as I can,” he said.
David is a familiar face at the Catholic school … he was formerly the groundsman.
And although this is the first time that he has attempted a project such as St Patrick, it is not his first sculpture.
His “Big Turtle” is featured at Bargara and he also has work at Cairns.
