Another busy week, so for four days I will be posting collages of Geelong's whimsical bollards. They are the creation of Geelong artist Jan Mitchell. The bollards which can be found along the waterfront have become an icon of Geelong.
There are over 100 bollards stretching along the waterfront area and are made out of huge wooden pylons. The wood was first sculpted and then hand painted. The bollards depict many of the events and history of the Geelong region.
Sadly Jan Mitchell is no longer with us, she died of cancer on St Patrick's Day 2008 age 68.
As you go, try and find the rabbits painted on numerous bollards, symbolic of the wild rabbits introduced by the English to Australia, that now wreak havoc on the landscape and agricultural industries.
Thomas Austin arrived in Corio Bay in 1859 with the first pairs of rabbits for his hunting pleasure, and they bred like rabbits. Because there is no natural predator of the rabbit in Australia their population exploded. So some bright spark introduced the fox. Guess what? No natural predator for the fox either. Of course all this happened back in the mid 1800s before ecology was so well thought out but 150 years later, it's still a problem. Statistics say there are now around 300 million rabbits in Australia.
You can see a rabbit painted on the bottom right photo in this collage.
@karlow75 Thanks Kane. I like the lifesavers too, they look so enthusiastic don't they, but my very favourite in this selection is the fireman on the right. He reminds me of my stepfather.
Thanks everyone for your lovely comments and favs. Sorry for the group reply again, but I think I spent too much time yesterday on the computer doing family history and I woke up with a splitting headache this morning. Just need a neck transplant, nothing serious.
The bollards are wonderful.
Sam they are fantastic to see. Here is a link http://www.intown.com.au/locals/geelong/attractions/bollards.htm
You will see that some of the bollards have rabbits painted on them and here is the reason why.
As you go, try and find the rabbits painted on numerous bollards, symbolic of the wild rabbits introduced by the English to Australia, that now wreak havoc on the landscape and agricultural industries.
Thomas Austin arrived in Corio Bay in 1859 with the first pairs of rabbits for his hunting pleasure, and they bred like rabbits. Because there is no natural predator of the rabbit in Australia their population exploded. So some bright spark introduced the fox. Guess what? No natural predator for the fox either. Of course all this happened back in the mid 1800s before ecology was so well thought out but 150 years later, it's still a problem. Statistics say there are now around 300 million rabbits in Australia.
You can see a rabbit painted on the bottom right photo in this collage.
Off to have a cup of tea now and a Panadol.