A life size bronze statue of the meeting, one year and a day before the Jerilderie raid, of a young Sir John Monash and outlaw Ned Kelly in Jerilderie will take centre stage in the town by the end of 2023.
A small group of community focused residents — Irene Wells, Helen Huggins, Sue Neilan and Gwen McLaughlin — have been fundraising for the statue since last year.
They have raised half of the anticipated $200,000 cost, thanks in part to sizeable donations from Jerilderie Apex Club, Elders Rural Services Jerilderie and local benefactors.
Artist Brett ‘Mon’ Garling has been secured for the project, and has produced a maquette of his design.
Mrs Wells said the artist gained his nickname, which is short for monster, because of a childhood obsession with bones.
But she said it served to make his artwork lifelike, which is why his work appealed to the committee.
‘‘When he was a little boy, growing up in Whitecliffs, he would go around picking up skeletons of things. Now he uses bones to get the shape,’’ Mrs Wells said.
‘‘He uses them to get it right. Everything has to be perfect.
‘‘He has a lot of work ahead of him, but he promised to complete the work and have it in place by the end of 2023.’’
The sculpture is expected to be erected in Jerilderie’s RSL Park, and will enhance the cultural and economic benefits for the region.
‘‘We think it will be marvellous for tourism,’’ Mrs Wells said.
‘‘So many people who come through ask about Monash, who lived in Monash house in Jerilderie during his primary school years..
‘‘We have heard how sculptures in other towns have attracted tourists, like the Black Caviar statue in Nagambie — people travel many miles to see them.
‘‘There’s a lot of traffic on the Newell Highway, and this will give travellers another reason to stop here.
‘‘There will be many things that will be unique about this sculpture; the meeting of two icons of Australian history, one of them in the form of a child.
‘‘We’re hoping that people will bring their small children along and be photographed beside the young Monash.’’
As planning continues, the committee says it needs more help to ensure the project comes to fruition.
Mrs Wells said the committee hopes to fund the project with community donations to make sure it really belongs to Jerilderie.
‘‘It would be absolutely marvellous, and something we could be very proud of,’’ she said.
‘‘The Man From Snowy River (statue) in Corryong was financed by the community.’’
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