Guy Crosley is a mosaic artist who works with the community to produce gorgeous public artworks. The mosaic works are scattered around the Coffs Coast, Bellingen, Nambucca region and beyond, many can be seen on a walk.
Scotts Head Whale Tale table and Last Wave
Guy worked with local artists and children in 2001 to create a picnic table “Whale Tale” at the main beach. The whales tail and fins support a table top decorated with birds and sea life.
The gorgeous “Last Wave” mural on the amenities block shows the sweep of South Beach as a goanna, with birds and surfers flying through the sky.
Visit these murals after walking Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) or the Scotts Head to Grassy Head trail.
Stuarts Island on the Nambucca River
This is Gumbaynggirr country, the river and mountains were their home for thousands of years before the pastoralists and timber getters arrived. Now a golf course, Stuarts Island in the Nambucca River was an aboriginal reserve from 1883. On the wall of the Boatshed is a community mosaic “Bucca Bucca -the crooked river” created by Elders in 2013 to share the story of the Gumbaynggirr connection to country.
The wellknown 3D mosaic in Nambucca village near the Police Station showcases the Nambucca River as it makes its way from mountains to sea. On the headland at Rotary Lookout is another more recent mosaic.
Walk from Valla to Nambucca and see the mosaics.
Coffs Harbour War Memorial Pool
Birds, sea life and swimmers adorn the two huge wall plaques made from ceramic and glass by Guy Crosley with the local community in 2003. The Pool is dedicated to those who served in conflicts, so the mural includes the words of the Ode to Remembrance.
You can see this mosaic on the Coffs Creek Walk.
Pines Picnic Area – Yarriabini National Park
This mosaic standing rock with a circle of ground mosaics around it showcases the totems and dreaming stories of the Ngambaa, Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti people for whom Mt Yarahapinni is a significant place. Created by local aboriginal artists with Guy Crosley.
Visit the picnic area, explore the forest on the Way Way rainforest walk and enjoy the Mt Yarahapinni lookout.
Dorrigo – Rainforest Centre and town Visitor Information Centre
A country scene wall mural created by Guy Crosley in 2001 is installed on the wall in Hickory Street near the Visitor Information Centre.
At the entrance to the Dorrigo National Park Rainforest Centre is a Giinagay Wall welcoming visitors to Gumbaynggirr country. A large mural showcases the forests, plants and animals of the Dorrigo rainforests. Another mural running along the wall shows the changes to the rainforest environment over time, from creation to the Ebor volcano and the present day. Local schools and community artists worked with Guy Crosley to create the murals which were installed in 2010.
Combine a visit to Dorrigo with the Wonga Walk.
How many more mosaics can you find? Some clues to help you search:
- Thora, on the Community Hall. Combine with a ride or 4WD tour of Horseshoe Road
- Mylestom, Green Bottles on a wall. See it during the walk from Tuckers Rocks to Mylestom
- Bellbrook, in the park. A perfect stopover as you explore the upper Macleay valley.
- Crescent Head, on the water towers. Take a photo as you climb Big Nobby and Crescent Head.
- Rumour has it there may also be mosaics in Urunga, Unkya Reserve, Bowraville…. so go hunting!
