About Off the Trail
The St Helens Destination Action Plan Group is a dedicated group of community members who aim to promote and develop St Helens as a visitor destination.
One of the group’s major projects is the Off the Trail – Sculpture Walk which was funded by the Tasmanian Government and officially launched in June 2022.
The trail follows St Helens’ scenic Georges Bay with sculptures placed along the Georges Bay Multi-User track. This track can be accessed from several points around the Bay and provides access to scenic picnic areas, bbqs, toilets and jetties.
The group’s vision for the Off the Trail – Sculpture walk is that at least one sculpture is added to the trail each year with each new sculpture being ‘opened’ as part of the Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival – A festival that takes place over the June Long weekend every year.
Every year sculptors will be invited to submit their sculpture ideas to the group for assessment. This will be promoted via the Break O’Day Council website and Facebook page.
Discover the Sculptures
As you enjoy your stroll around the scenic Georges Bay Multi-User Track make sure you keep an eye out for these striking sculptures.
Rhythm and Flow
Artist: Andrew Redman
Materials: Wood/concrete/galvanised steel Dimensions: 3000H x 350Wmm x 150mmD Artist Statement:
With this work I have attempted to provide a piece that responds to the relationship that co-exists between the unique natural landscapes that surround us on the East Coast of Tasmania. My intention is to create a contemporary sculpture that feels part of its environment and emphasizes the rhythm and flow of the natural elements it draws from. I have tried to symbolize the essence and harmony of the unique combination of the local coastal geology, its seascapes, and natural forms that make the area so distinct. My use of deeply carved free flowing lines on large dimension timber, is an effort to fuse beauty and strength into one, that hopefully finds the right balance between the two. I have chosen to use wood as the medium due to wanting to create an aged, bleached, aesthetic over time like the patina found on driftwood. I have selected “Macrocarpa” as the timber species not only because of its outdoor durability, but because its plantation grown and sustainable. |
Sea Sculptures
Artist: Gavin Wagner
Materials: Deformed Steel Bar Dimensions: 3000mmH x 5500mmW x 16mmD Artist Statement:
This work responds to the game fishing and trawling activity based around Georges Bay. It represents the ocean fish caught in the deeper waters of the Tasman Sea. Georges Bay provides an important nursery space for young fish of many species. These were once prevalent in the Bay, although the numbers of many species have declined with the various attempts to use and to preserve this important waterway. It is important to balance the interests of all who use the Bay – plant, animal and human life – and for the activities of each of these. Various types of fish are used, or are able to be used, in the sculpture. These promote awareness of the range of fish in the area and to provide opportunities for conversation and education among those who respond to the work. |
Gazing off the Track of Time and TideArtist: Anita Denholm
Materials: Granite - Diddlum Plains, NE Tasmania Weight: 5.5 tonne Height: 2.1 m Artist Statement The official sculpture title is ‘Gazing Out Across the Track of Time and Tides’ but my personal name for ‘her’ is Liena Nire’ (li-eena ni-ree) Liena Nire comes from a written list of words of an early Tasmanian indigenous dictionary collated in the 1850s Liena- water - Nire’ - heal. It is my hope that this sculpture will imbue people viewing or walking passed with a sense of calm, taking time to breathe, slow down, reflect, and to refresh. To look out at the Bay to ponder on the times and peoples past, present and future. It is everyone, anyone and nobody. Looking out and thinking on those people of the past, the present and future. Looking out for someone returning across the bay or dreaming of being out there enjoying life. A sense of calm and reflection. Many ‘thank you’s to the ‘DAPers’, BoD council officers and works crew, Tolley and the moving crew, and JD….. you all know who you are. And thanks to my Sweetheart) |
"I’m so thrilled to know your impressions as a viewer. I have noticed everyone who looks at it smiles. And we need more smiles in the world" |
he Sits Silent - (Silent Sentinel)
By Anita Denholm
She sits,
Gazing out across time and tide,
Watches on as memories are made,
Of early morning fishers,
Waiting patiently on the jetty, as sun is slowly rising,
A fish to take.
“Y getting any Mate…….?”
Breaks the moment, the silence,
The fish slips away….
Silently gliding in,
Birds gather, Gulls squabble,
Pelican gobble and clack…
The fish will be caught, an early morning meal for all.
Happily,
The silent observer,
Giggling, squealing children splash and play in warm summer shallows…
Families gather for a late summer barbie by the bay,
The shadows lengthening, as the golden sunset begins to reflect on the stillness of the water.
Quietly,
The watcher,
People rush on by in daily ritual,
Striding out with purpose,
Jogging and peddling at a pace,
Others leisurely meander along with dogs,
Some stopping to stand, to look, to reflect and remember.
People pass one another by with a friendly “Gidday”,
Friends meet, chatting happily walk on together, renewing a silent vow,
Swimmers shiver in the cold dawn light, plunge in, return invigorated,
Friends, Lovers meet, passionate embraces and fond farewells,
Couples remember times past.
Silently,
A sentinel,
A guardian,
The witness to wild seaward weather…
Winter storms lashing, raging far out to sea,
Quietly She waits for boats to return to safety,
Battling through the tempest way out beyond the bar-way,
A good catch on board,
Crossing the Bay
Finally safe.
In serene, stoney silence,
She will never grow old and weary- unlike those of us under her enigmatic gaze,
We will age, and one day will not return.
She will continue to look on, observing the ebb and flow,
Silent listener,
Watching as people pass her by.
Gazing out across time and tides,
She sits.
By Anita Denholm
She sits,
Gazing out across time and tide,
Watches on as memories are made,
Of early morning fishers,
Waiting patiently on the jetty, as sun is slowly rising,
A fish to take.
“Y getting any Mate…….?”
Breaks the moment, the silence,
The fish slips away….
Silently gliding in,
Birds gather, Gulls squabble,
Pelican gobble and clack…
The fish will be caught, an early morning meal for all.
Happily,
The silent observer,
Giggling, squealing children splash and play in warm summer shallows…
Families gather for a late summer barbie by the bay,
The shadows lengthening, as the golden sunset begins to reflect on the stillness of the water.
Quietly,
The watcher,
People rush on by in daily ritual,
Striding out with purpose,
Jogging and peddling at a pace,
Others leisurely meander along with dogs,
Some stopping to stand, to look, to reflect and remember.
People pass one another by with a friendly “Gidday”,
Friends meet, chatting happily walk on together, renewing a silent vow,
Swimmers shiver in the cold dawn light, plunge in, return invigorated,
Friends, Lovers meet, passionate embraces and fond farewells,
Couples remember times past.
Silently,
A sentinel,
A guardian,
The witness to wild seaward weather…
Winter storms lashing, raging far out to sea,
Quietly She waits for boats to return to safety,
Battling through the tempest way out beyond the bar-way,
A good catch on board,
Crossing the Bay
Finally safe.
In serene, stoney silence,
She will never grow old and weary- unlike those of us under her enigmatic gaze,
We will age, and one day will not return.
She will continue to look on, observing the ebb and flow,
Silent listener,
Watching as people pass her by.
Gazing out across time and tides,
She sits.