Creatures of the Plain
Two curious statues populate Nhill (V) – both devoted to animals.
The first, opposite the Commonwealth Bank, is a tribute to all the hard yards performed by the draught horse in opening up the Western District to wheat and pasture.
The second, outside the Shire Council, shows two lowans canoodling on a mound. Huh, lowans? Better known as mallee fowls, lowans are endangered by the selfless toil of the aforementioned horse.
Call 1800-CASSOWARY to dob in any other offbeat statues to be found around the continent. Dog statues alone number in their dozens, from the rabid mongrel ‘guarding’ Eaglehawk Neck in Tassie to the bronze kelpie of Hallet (SA). Then there’s the Giant Wooden Dog – a Trojan backlash – standing on Wingove Street, opposite Fairfield station in Melbourne.
Add to the list, both canine or otherwise. Supersized or secretive.