It’s a sight that would have been enjoyed by visitors to the Mudgee Wine and Food Festival in September, enhancing their impression of our rural region. 

But within the town, there’s little reminder of the region’s first industry on European settlement, which remained its mainstay until the development of mines, wine and tourism. 

Although superfine wool from Mudgee is a frequent winner of prestigious international awards, including the Ermenegildo Zegna Wool Awards in Italy, the role of  wool in the local economy is often overlooked. 

In an effort to remind locals and visitors of the past and present contribution of the wool industry to the region, the Australian Superfine Wool Growers’ Association of the Mudgee Region has proposed a monument in a visible site, such as Robertson Park. 

Naysayers have been quick to assume that this would be of the scale of Goulburn’s Big Merino.   In fact, apart from suggesting that the monument should be ‘visible’, woolgrowers are not proposing that the monument should be Australia’s next “Big Thing”. 

When asked at council’s meeting last week how big the monument should be,  woolgrower Murray Price spread his hands to indicate the approximate size of a sheep and suggested “something small”. 

While council and woolgrowers were quick to rule out anything “cheesy” or similar to the Rhinos at the entrance to Dubbo, there’s scope in the proposal to create something that could become a unique feature of the town. 

Perhaps instead of the usual statue of a ram on a plinth, a series of smaller statues including ewes and lambs as well as rams could be located through local parks, with the potential to be added to over time. 

Sculptures on a wool theme could also be included in council’s sculpture walk, as has been suggested. A competition calling on artists, including local artists, to submit proposals for a monument has the potential to create national interest.  A competition for concepts at local shows could be a starting point. 

The woolgrowers’ proposal could result not only in a monument to an important local industry but something that could become a fitting symbol of the district.