Horsham Rural City is the largest population centre in the Wimmera located about 300km northwest of Melbourne on route to Adelaide. 

As part of a major revitalisation of the Horsham waterfront precinct, the ‘Horsham City Entrances Sculptural & Wayfinding Signage’ project was commissioned by Horsham Rural City Council to celebrate and identify Horsham as a regional city in the Wimmera for both residents and visitors. 

The project was not without challenges. The environmental conditions of the Wimmera can be extreme with months of frost down to -4˚C to the heat of summer up to 48˚C. The area is susceptible to periodic flooding, and are exposed to extremes of UV. Materials for the sculpture needed to be strong, durable and sustainable.  

The solution is a new interpretive sculptural standing proudly at six metres tall, on the edge of Sawyer Park and visible from the road, will welcome motorists travelling to Horsham via the Henty and Western Highways

The sculpture, created by HeineJones, reflects the poetic character of the Wimmera, taking inspiration from agriculture and the native flora of the region. The bold structures, reminiscent of leaves and grain, delivers design excellence and responds to a need to identity and understand Horsham and the Wimmera River, while also looking to the future aspirations of Horsham as a city that supports liveability and sustainability.

The sculpture features four coloured structures, representing sky, land, light and shade. Stencilling, historically used on wheat and wool bales now adorn the sculpture in the form of laser cut words that create a transparent quality and encourage further investigation of and engagement with the sculpture. 

Upon closer inspection, the words form the titles of interpretive stories that are revealed on the back of the structures.  

Large photographs, form a dynamic backdrop to the interpretive stories of Horsham’s past endeavours on the Wimmera River and look forward to the future aspirations of the city and its people. 

Featured stories include ‘Sawyer Bricks’, which describe the endeavours of a local Horsham family who ran a brick manufacturing business near the site and for which Sawyer Park is named. ‘Ebb and Flow’ tells the story of early exploration in the area. ‘Crate Pool’ recalls an early swimming area on the river and ‘Horsham Vision’ outlines plans for the city’s future.    

The project outcome included research of the interpretive subjects, writing, site selection, creative concepts, design, documentation, manufacturing, and installation.

The design response makes an important contribution to the overall revitalisation of waterfront precinct and influences the way public spaces in the city are understood and experienced by residents and visitors alike.

The program will also delivered sculptural entrance signage and a new signage suite for wayfinding and interpretive locations along the riverfront.