Published: 27 June 2023

A new sculpture stands tall at Batemans Bay in memory of former councillor and community stalwart, the late Maureen Nathan.

Maureen donated $100 thousand for a sculpture to be built at Hanging Rock Sporting Complex, Batemans Bay. The sculpture design was finalised just before Maureen passed away.

Under Maureen’s wishes, her son Adam and Council’s creative arts coordinator Indi Carmichael managed the process to see the sculpture complete.

The sculpture, named Soar, was unveiled on Sunday 25 June with 80 people in attendance.

Maureen’s family and friends, the Eurobodalla Mayor and councillors commemorated the wonderful life of Maureen and her contribution to the community.

Ms Carmichael said the sculpture stands as a heroic celebration of Maureen’s life surviving ovarian cancer as well as an uplifting feature for passers-by.

“During Maureen’s battle with ovarian cancer, she wanted to leave behind something that celebrated life – a sculpture that was uplifting and made your spirits soar,” Ms Carmichael said.

“Maureen’s wish was for people to look at it and feel a sense of freedom and aspire to just about anything they had their mind to.”

The sculpture was created by artist Terri Watling from the Everlon Group. It portrays an abstract human figure, reaching up to take flight.

Finishing touches included a mosaic which is an interpretation of Eurobodalla’s sparkling waters, the wind and sky.

Smaller tiles in the mosaic resemble little blue crabs which are indigenous to the waterfront at the site. The gold colours also reflect the Old Mogo Gold Rush Colony that Maureen established and lost in the 2019/20 bushfires.

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