With both the concept design for the Stella Young statue and the Cato Park location having been approved by Stella Young’s parents; the Remembering Stella Young project is making great progress.
Expressions of Interest have also been sought for the delivery of an ‘Accessible Interactive Information’ package. This component will enable information about Stella, her work, and her message to be accessed by a wide audience. Under the guidance of Janice Florence, Arts Access Victoria has been instrumental in assisting with the engagement of women with a lived experience of disability. With support from Arts Access Victoria, the project has been guided by a Creative and Access Collective of women.
A 1/5 scale model has been made by Creative Consultant Danny Fraser in response to the design brief. The brief was developed by the project’s Creative Collective, in collaboration with Stella’s parents. The sculpture of Stella in her wheelchair, will be life size and cast in bronze. Accessible interactive information will accompany the statue.
The statue location and the site access requirements have been carefully considered in collaboration with the Access Collective. The proposed site has been audited by an accessibility consultant and improvements are being planned to coincide with the statue unveiling. Planned improvements include a new accessible carpark, path repairs and gradient modifications.
Lynne Young, Stella’s mother commented on behalf of the family, “It is wonderful to see the work of so many people coming together towards creating this beautiful memorial of Stella.
“We are very happy with the proposed design and look forward to seeing it in place at Cato Park once completed,” she said.
According to Cr Murray Emerson, Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council, the Remembering Stella Young project has highlighted the accessibility considerations that need to inform the work of council going forward.
“Council acknowledges that improvements for accessibility are needed across the shire and council has been working towards establishing a staged plan to undertake the necessary works in the future,” Cr Emerson said.
The statue is scheduled for completion early next year and will be celebrated with an unveiling event.
The Remembering Stella Young project is supported by the Victorian Government.