Byron Shire Council acquires Holding Strong sculpture made from Lismore Botanic Gardens timber

BYRON Shire Council has acquired a public artwork comprising three 3-metre-tall sentinel markers constructed from 100-year-old Gympie Messmate hardwood sourced from the Lismore Botanic Gardens, situated at South Beach Park in Brunswick Heads.

The three-piece work, Holding Strong, created by Nickolla Clark (Arakwal) and Rebekah Seriah Webster, commemorates the Federal Court of Australia’s Native Title determination on 30 April 2019, which formally recognised the rights of the Bundjalung People (Arakwal) of Byron Bay.

Kyogle-based sculptor Rebekah Seriah Webster formed a mentorship with Arakwal visual artist Nickolla Clark to exchange knowledge and techniques in the treatment and carving of large-scale forms.

The artwork at South Beach Park consists of three vertical sentinel forms standing three metres high, created from Gympie Messmate hardwood sourced from the Lismore Botanic Gardens.

The timber has been treated through a carbonisation process that intentionally chars the surface.

The designs draw inspiration from the leaves of the Bambaa (Banksia), a natural seasonal indicator for the Arakwal people that signals periods of movement, gathering and living across Country.

Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye joined the artists at South Beach Park on 5 June to acknowledge and celebrate the cultural importance of the work.

“Holding Strong is a very special piece of public art which celebrates the strength of Arakwal Country and the Elders who fought for recognition,” Mayor Ndiaye said.

“It looks towards the site where 300 people gathered at Torakina Reserve to celebrate the historic Native Title Determination including participating Elders Lorna Kelly, Yvonne Graham, Linda Vidler and Dulcie Nicholls, all née Kay.”

The three markers are oriented towards Bundjalung sacred sites: Wollumbin (Cloud Catcher) to the West, Balun (Brunswick River) to the East and Walgun (Cape Byron shoulder) to the South.

These places carry deep cultural meaning, embodying knowledge systems, kinship ties and enduring connections that sustain Bundjalung relationships with waterways, land and cultural law.

“We are honoured to have added this culturally significant work to Council’s permanent collection, ensuring it remains located and cared for on this important site,” Mayor Ndiaye said.

Community members will recognise the sculpture, which was originally commissioned for the 2024 Brunswick Heads Nature Sculpture Walk, curated and managed by Samantha Moss as part of a triennial program presenting temporary sculptural works.