A NEW art installation will be welcomed to the Lake Meran foreshore next week.
The installation is of an eastern long-necked turtle, a native species to the lake, which has been created from reused and recycled materials.
The sculpture is set to be unveiled at the Lake Meran Festival on February 23.
Dubbed Grumpy, he has already gained quite a following with a fan club eagerly awaiting his arrival.
The name Grumpy was aptly given to the sculpture for the eastern long-necked turtle’s grumpy demeanour.
While this turtle species may not be among the happiest of reptiles, they are very placid and smart, being a scavenger in helping to clean the water ways and environmental areas.
Grumpy was designed and created by Bendigo based junk art and recycle sculptor, Moz Moresi.
Kerang resident Brent Condelly approached Mr Moresi about the possibility of creating this unique turtle sculpture for Lake Meran.
“I was thrilled to be asked of this challenging opportunity,” he said.
“I was happy to be able to build a sculpture for my childhood lake as I grew up locally on our family farm at Meering West.
“I was heavily inspired by John Piccoli, more famously known as Spanner Man.
“My plans to build a British-style steampunk turtle sculpture were underway with the lake foreshore committee agreeing to my design and costs.
“Two-and-a-half years ago I commenced construction in my spare time.
“Most of the sculpture’s parts include some scrap steel, gas cylinders, machine drive chain and an old worn-out V4 Wisconsin baler engine.
“Some parts were bought from scrap and recycle yards, with further parts of the sculpture being over one hundred years old.
“There were also some parts bought locally with significant history at two Meering West farms being from the Laity brothers and Alan and Helen Rothacker, previously known as the Lester-Smith family farm.”
After finding out the native turtle species continue to breed and thrive in the lake, Mr Moresi was even more thrilled with the challenge.
“Me being an interested naturalist and environmental type person I did my own research about the species,” he said.
“I had fond memories as a kid while being at the lake in particular of the eastern long-necked turtle.
“We saw many of them, including their cute babies swimming around bobbing their heads in and out of the water.
“Hopefully once permanently at the lake, Grumpy will inspire people who visit the area to enjoy and take care of the lake and the environment, and keep acknowledging the continued thriving of all the turtle and fish species.
“Not just in this lake but in all lakes, rivers and creeks throughout Victoria and Australia.
“Hopefully eventually in decades to come the rest of our beautiful planet that all mankind must share.”
The sculpture will now hopefully gain some recognition among Victoria’s iconic sculptures, joining many regional towns to promote ongoing tourism and environmental security in these areas.
Grumpy will be mounted today at 1:30pm before his official unveiling Sunday, February 23 at the Lake Meran Festival.
