South West Life

The City of Bunbury’s latest piece of public art is to be installed on the Leschenault Inlet foreshore near the Bunbury Rowing Club on Monday 2nd August 2010.

The substantial metal sculpture, which acknowledges the contribution the railways made in the development of Bunbury, is also a symbol of community inclusion. 

Called “Circus Train – Slow Down!” the contemporary representation, weighing three tonne and measuring five metres by three, is the work of artists Alex and Nicole Mickle.

It will be trucked to the foreshore from Australind before being lowered on to the site near the old railway marshalling yards.  

The work is the result of a collaborative partnership between the City of Bunbury and DADAA Inc., an arts and disability organisation based in Fremantle with a regional program in the South West. 

The sculpture is the outcome of a project called Bridging the Gap which began over five years ago when the City of Bunbury was approached separately by a group of retired railway workers and DADAA. 

The idea for the sculpture resulted from the convergence of these two seemingly unrelated groups of which both were interested in creating a public artwork. 

The retired railway workers wanted recognition for the important role the railways played in the development of Bunbury and DADAA wanted increased awareness for people with disability.

The City of Bunbury and DADAA forged a partnership around Bridging the Gap and involved groups and the community in workshops which set the tone and basis for the piece of public art.

Common themes which emerged during the workshops were wheels and intersecting tracks.  

These themes formed the basis for a range of models developed at the workshops which were then displayed at an art exhibition where the public was invited to vote for their favourite.

The full size version of the winner was then made by artists Alex and Nicole Mickle into “Circus Train – Slow Down!”. 

Bunbury Mayor David Smith said Bridging the Gap would be a lasting reminder of the importance of Bunbury’s railway heritage, but it would also be a celebration of groups working together towards a meaningful outcome.

“I hope this project has a lasting benefit for the many people who were involved,” Mr Smith said.

“While it recognises the railways and is situated on a site near the railway marshalling and loco repair yards, it also shows how these community-based projects can encourage understanding and inclusiveness in our community.”  

DADAA chief executive officer David Doyle, who has been involved during the project’s long gestation, said Bridging the Gap had been a great commitment from a wide range of people in Bunbury.

"I think back on the incredible commitment of a huge raft of Bunbury people to this project,” Mr Doyle said.

“Essentially, Bridging the Gap is vital evidence that inclusion is high on the agenda in Bunbury.”