History mural installed at Woy Woy oval

A new 36-metre mural, which has taken more than eight months to produce and over six weeks to construct has been installed at Woy Woy Oval.

The three metre high structure is made up of 24 colour printed steel panels that feature a pelican symbol surrounded by approximately 100 original photographs of the Peninsula's sport culture over the past 65 years.

The images, which were collected over six months through interviews with local sport personalities, as well as through sporting organisations, Woy Woy Library, and from the general public.

Central Coast Council administrator Mr Ian Reynolds said the decision to install the mural in Woy Woy was an important one and further enhanced the area.

"Following Council's recent investment into the $8.25 million redevelopment of Woy Woy Oval, it made sense to utilise this fantastic sporting arena and share the mural with the community," Mr Reynolds said.

In February, more than 1200 primary school children from Woy Woy and Umina Beach Public Schools and St John the Baptist Catholic School came together on Woy Woy Oval to create the pelican symbol.

American artist Daniel Dancer sketched the pelican on the grass, outlining where the children had to pose, and photographed the image from a 25 metre high cherry picker.

Local graphic designer, Katherine Close was commissioned to create the final artwork.

Council leisure and lifestyle manager Mr Phil Cantillon said the new installation was dedicated to the community.

"The aim of this artwork was to stand as an overarching symbol of unity, the pelican, and history of the 100 pictures of local sport.

"The sporting community is a strong and vital part of the Peninsula community.

"We wanted the installation to encapsulate the regular gathering of sporting teams and the community that occur throughout the year.

"The pelican was chosen to symbolise unity as they fly, feed and converge in groups all over the Coast's foreshores, in the same way that our community unites in sporting arenas, like Woy Woy Oval, to watch or participate in a variety of sporting activities," Mr Cantillon said.

The installation will be fixed at Woy Woy Oval for at least five years.

Media release, 14 Dec 2016

Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council