Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue
Overview
Located in Anzac Park, the bronze, life-sized Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue acknowledges this famous Australian Poet's connection to the Gunnedah district.
Author of 'My Country', Dorothea Mackellar was said to be inspired by her love of the country, particularly her experiences in the Gunnedah district. Dorothea is shown sitting side-saddle on her horse, looking out in the distance towards her family properties, 'Kurrumbede' and 'The Rampadells'.
The Maas Walk winds its way to the Dorothea Mackellar statue and was named in memory of the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society founder, Mient Je (Mikkie) Maas OAM. The Walk features two of Dorothea's poems 'Dawn' and 'Burning Off', set amongst native floral plantings.
Located in the building opposite the Memorial is the Mackellar Centre, home to the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society, the administrative body of the National Poetry Awards. This online poetry competition for school children attracts over 12,000 entries from 1,000 schools across Australia annually. It is also the home of Jean Isherwood's collection of 32 Water Colour paintings inspired by Dorothea's most famous poem.
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