Statue of war doctor to be unveiled

REGIONAL Arts Victoria’s Women’s Public Art Program will bear fruit at Linton within the next two weeks.

A bronze sculpture of Linton-born Dr Vera Scantlebury by Lucy McEachern is to be installed along the town’s Avenue of Honour in coming days, and then officially unveiled on Tuesday, 18 April at 10am.

Linton and District Historical Society president Jill Wheeler said it’s rewarding see the long-term vision realised, having initially applied for the funding with support from Golden Plains Shire officers.

“We’ve had a sneak peek, but we haven’t seen the finished statue yet, so it’s going to be terrific when it’s finally there in our Avenue of Honour,” she said.

“I have seen a maquette of it, a smaller version, at an event at Melbourne, so I got a bit of an idea of what it will be like.

“It’s been an interesting process as one of a dozen groups that that were fortunate to get grants for these Women’s Public Art projects. Another is the statue of Stella Young in Stawell which was unveiled last week.”

The Avenue of Honour is a most appropriate location for Dr Scantlebury to be immortalised as she was a World War One military doctor.

The buttons and tie pin from her military jacket, which are in the care of the University of Melbourne where she studied, have been replicated through 3D printing and incorporated into the public art piece.

McEachern and Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins will be present at the unveiling ceremony.

Ms Wheeler said everyone in the community is welcome to attend the event, where there will also be refreshments and snacks.

“We are expecting quite a lot of people to come along,” she said.