Bloom

Bloom is a new landmark sculpture at the heart of Lavington, brought to life through the generous donation of a local Lavington philanthropist. This philanthropic contribution was offered with the intention to enrich the Lavington community with a new, permanent artwork that celebrates local identity and enhances a shared public space.

Led by AlburyCity’s Cultural Activation Team, the project followed an open Expression of Interest (EOI) process with creative studio Everlon selected to design and bring the final artwork, Bloom, to life. Bloom celebrates the vibrant mix of commercial and residential life that makes our community unique. This project stands as a testament to the power of community, generosity, creative collaboration and shared pride in Lavington’s identity.

The chosen design features three upright gum blossoms, crafted from Corten, a rusted steel. This striking concept pays tribute to a gum tree that once stood on the site, honouring its memory alongside the mature gum that remains today. Everlon engaged respected First Nations artist David Dunn to design the decorative elements that will appear on the blossoms, a design that depicts the story of the three rivers, Wambool, Gulari, and Murrumbidya, ancestral beings who shaped the land and brought life to Country. Inspired by the resilient flowering gum, its rising sculptural forms and opening gum blossoms stand as a powerful symbol of community investment, inviting residents and visitors to pause, reflect and share in a sense of pride for the place they call home.

The Project 

The Lavington Five Ways Public Artwork was made possible through a generous philanthropic donation, provided with the aim of enriching Lavington with engaging and meaningful public art.

AlburyCity facilitated an open Expression of Interest (EOI), inviting artists to submit proposals for the project.

Following this process:

• A panel shortlisted three finalists to further develop detailed concept designs.
• The proposals were then assessed by a panel, which selected the creative studio Everlon to deliver the final artwork.
• The final concept design was submitted and reviewed by the internal panel.
• As part of the project, Everlon partnered with local First Nations artist David Dunn, who created a design for the artwork’s petals. This collaboration ensured cultural elements were represented with care, respect and authenticity. Mr Dunn also consulted with the Dyiraamalang Elders group to seek feedback and guidance on the design concept.

The final design includes 3 stainless steel stems, each with Corten steel (natural rust colour) gum blossoms, standing at different heights with the tallest being 2.8 meters tall. David Dunn’s designs on the petals feature the "Three Rivers" Dreaming, where ancestral serpents Wambool, Gulari and Murrumbidya carved the land and joined their waters to bring life and spirit to the Wiradjuri people.

Bloom is a sculptural work that celebrates growth, resilience and the shared identity of Lavington. Inspired by the flowering gum, its elevated, open form reaches upward as a gesture of optimism, welcoming the community and reflecting a place that continues to evolve and thrive.

Central to the work is the integration of Wiradjuri cultural knowledge through collaboration with Wiradjuri Artist Mr. David Dunn. The artwork draws on the story of the Three Rivers - Wambool, Gulari and Murrumbidya - ancestral beings who shaped the land and brought life to Country. This narrative is expressed through pattern and form, embedding a deeper connection to place and acknowledging the enduring cultural significance of Wiradjuri Country.

The circular motifs and flowing elements reference movement, continuity and connection, reflecting the life-giving presence of water and the strength of community. Through this collaboration, Bloom becomes more than a physical landmark, it is a shared expression of story, place and respect.

The work invites reflection on how we connect to Country and to one another, and how, through that connection, communities continue to grow.

- Terri Watling, artwork statement from Everlon Studio

The Design Behind the Blooms

Local Wiradjrui Artist David Dunn developed the Wiradjuri design elements for this project. Dunn is an award-winning, internationally selling artist with thousands of artworks distributed around the world. He is known for his contemporary techniques based on Indigenous storytelling, often expressed through bold silhouettes. His work is simple, colourful, intelligent, and deeply respectful of culture. Dunn’s designs were also shared with the Dyiraamalang Elders group to ensure its Wiradjuri elements authentically honour the local landscape and community.

The Story of the Three Rivers | A Wiradjuri Dreaming

Long ago, before time was counted, the land of the Wiradjuri people was flat and dry. The ancestors, powerful spiritual beings walked the earth shaping mountains, valleys, and waterways. Among these ancestors were three great serpents, each with the power to bring life to the land. Their names were Wambool, Gulari, and Murrumbidya, known today as the Macquarie, Lachlan, and Murrumbidgee Rivers.

The Dreaming of the Rivers

The three serpents travelled from the high country, carving deep channels into the earth.

• Wambool (Macquarie River) flowed strong and winding, bringing clear waters that fed the plains and nourished the trees.
• Gulari (Lachlan River) moved quietly and gracefully, spreading life across the wetlands and billabongs.
• Murrumbidya (Murrumbidgee River) was the most powerful of all broad and deep, carrying the stories of many lands.

As they travelled, each serpent sang its songline, weaving stories that marked the boundaries of the Wiradjuri nation. These songs carried knowledge of seasons, animal movements, and sacred places. They united the land from mountain to plain.

Meeting of the Waters

One day, the three serpents met. Where they joined, their voices and waters merged, forming a great lifegiving force that flowed south into the Milawa (Murray River). The land blossomed with plants and animals, and the Wiradjuri people were given custodianship of this vast country, “Wambool”, “Gulari”, and “Murrumbidya” Country, the land of the Three Rivers.

The people are taught that the rivers carried not just water, but spirit, memory, and lore. To keep them healthy was to keep the people and the Country healthy. The old ones still say, “The rivers are the veins of the land. When they flow, life moves through all things.”

Meaning in Wiradjuri Culture

For the Wiradjuri, the Three Rivers are central to identity:

• They mark Country boundaries.
• They teach connection, balance, and respect for water.
• They represent the unity of the Wiradjuri people across a great landscape.

Even today, the Wiradjuri call themselves “the people of the three rivers”, a phrase that continues to carry deep spiritual strength and belonging.

The Wiradjuri story is not just one of the past; it is a living, breathing presence. As the saying goes: “Wiradjuri mayiny ngurambanggu” (Wiradjuri people are on their country).

Project Timeline

If you have any questions about this artwork please contact the Cultural Activation team : CulturalActivation@alburycity.nsw.gov.au