By Jessica Anstice
Lang Lang P.A and H Association are pushing the idea of a ‘rearing horse and cowboy’ statue to recognise the significance of the Easter Monday rodeo which has been running continuously since 1944.
The Lang Lang Rodeo is part of the Australia-wide rodeo circuit and attracts crowds of up to 4000 people, annually.
“The township of Lang Lang is off the South Gippsland Highway and although thousands of motorists drive past the turnoff on their way to Phillip Island or South Gippsland, very few actually turn off,” Lang Lang P.A and H Association member Michael Boraston said.
“If we could have an attraction such as an iconic statue of a rearing horse and cowboy, and advertise its existence with signs on the highway, this may be an inducement to attract people off the highway and down the Main Street of our town.”
The group envisions the statue to be four metres tall, attached to a two metre high plinth and erected in Dick Jones Park.
Not only does the group plan on installing a statue, they are also pursuing the establishment of an RV and caravan parking area near the park for tourists to park, view the statue, use the park’s facilities and walk down the street.
“Hopefully are attracted into some of the existing businesses such as the cafes, eating establishments and an antiques shop,” Mr Boraston said.
“New businesses may see the potential to cater to the increased passing traffic.”
The idea of the statue was raised in the past, but four years ago Mr Boraston proposed it as a Rotary Club project.
“Two years ago I submitted a proposal to Cardinia Council of a statue designed by an African artist which would have been imported into Australia through a gallery in Beechworth that specialises in this type of structure,” he explained.
“Unfortunately council’s risk department rejected it on the grounds of lack of engineering requirements and as such represented a public risk.
“We were advised to pursue the project through the council’s arts and cultural program which rotates around the wards.”
The program is a State Government grant, meaning it doesn’t come from ratepayers and is specific to the arts project.
Port Ward is now eligible to submit ideas of an arts project that adds to the local community’s ambience.
As part of the applicant process, the group needs to provide evidence of community support and are currently canvassing residents, businesses and community organisations to back their proposal.
Responses can be emailed to Michael Boraston at boraston@southernphone.com.au or posted to 325 Kettles Rd, Lang Lang, 3984 . For further clarification phone Michael on 0422 824 485.
