Public artists get works underway for Wellard

Three Western Australian artists have been selected from more than 60 applicants to create five unique artworks for the first phase of the Wellard Public Art Project.

The Project, which is being undertaken by joint venture partners Peet Limited and the Department of Housing and Works, aims to establish a series of iconic images for the estate and deliver significant community, cultural and educational outcomes for the local area.

The commissioned artworks include a mosaic outside the Wellard Train Station, a large-scale landmark sculpture and three smaller sculptures around the village centre.

The successful artists, Jenny Dawson, Tony Pankiw and Judith Forrest, are now hard at work creating their pieces in preparation for installation next year.

English born artist Judith Forrest will create a family of bush guardian sculptures for her three-piece display around the Village Centre. Cast in bronze, the three family members – father, mother and child – will each carry a different native animal.

The landmark sculpture will be created by award-winning artist Tony Pankiw, whose piece will depict a curved tree with three leaf outlines extending from the branches. These will become picture frames containing images of Wellard, like the train station and the sports ground.

Drawing on the history of the area, well known Western Australian mosaic artist Jenny Dawson and Nyoongar Visual Artist Sandra Hill, will create a colourful mosaic with a depiction of three spirit figures going on a journey at its centre. Trees and water will also feature heavily to highlight the historical importance of the Wellard region as a food gathering and hunting area.

Peet Limited Managing Director and CEO Brendan Gore said it was pleasing to have such a high calibre of local talent involved in the project

“Each of the artists has represented a core element of the estate in their design, with themes of family, history or the environment,” said Mr Gore.

“This will encourage a strong sense of community connection to the artworks as it reflects the environmental and social values the estate has been based upon.”

The Wellard Public Art Project comes on the back of the highly successful Community Art Project which recently resulted in the installation of a series of unique artworks, created by members of the local community, students from the Peter Carnley Anglican Community School and a team of youth participating in a local Green Corps project.

For more information about The Village at Wellard visit www.thevillageatwellard.com.au.

A merry ‘Village Christmas’ for Wellard residents

Christmas arrived early at The Village at Wellard, with more than 150 residents celebrating the estate’s first ‘Village Christmas’ on the weekend (Saturday 29 November).

With many families bringing young children to enjoy the festivities, the roving performer, face painting, bouncy castle, animal farm and sounds from popular Perth entertainers the Gumnut Stompers, were big hits on the day.

But a special cheer was reserved for Father Christmas who arrived on a fire engine to hand out treats.

The festivities were hosted by project joint venture partners, Peet Limited and the Department of Housing and Works, at the Wellard Community Pavilion.

Peet Limited Managing Director and CEO Brendan Gore said the event was a great opportunity for the local community to come together and celebrate this special time of year.

“Providing the places and opportunities for residents to meet and interact is an important part of building the community at The Village at Wellard,” said Mr Gore.

“The Wellard Community Pavilion has been providing a great community facility since its official opening in March this year and it was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the celebration, activities and entertainment.”

The successful ‘Village Christmas’ caps off a very successful year at The Village at Wellard with a number of achievements throughout the year.

Just last month the joint venture partners were rewarded at the Not-for-Profit Network Awards with the Ngulla Community Nursery winning the Partnership of the Year Award and earlier in the year The Village at Wellard received the Judges’ Award at the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA) Awards.

With more than 690 of the estate’s 2,700 homesites now sold, The Village at Wellard community continues to grow with more than 320 households now moved in to the estate.

There is a range of homesite options currently available for people looking to make this multi-award winning estate home, from large homestead lots, to more traditional size family lots and low maintenance cottage lots.

To meet market demand for affordable home sites Peet recently released six new lots, perched on the edge of natural wetlands, ranging in size from 537sqm to 551sqm and priced from just $145,000.

There is also some 32 lots available south of the railway line in Wellard, ranging in size from 287sqm to 2,051sqm and priced between $138,000 and $380,000.

An added benefit for all purchasers is Peet’s Flying Start package – which at The Village at Wellard includes a level block with retaining walls where required, front garden landscaping and reticulation – making it easier and more affordable to build and establish their new home.

Find out more at www.thevillageatwellard.com.au or visit The Village at Wellard Sales and Information Office on the corner of Runnymede Gate and Cliveden Avenue, Wellard on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2pm to 5pm, Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.