AUSTRALIAN HISTORY: Iconic Red Dog Born in 1971 as Sculpture Unveiled Ignites ‘ inter-Town – Rivalry in Pilbara

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Ace Press News From Cutting Room Floor: Published: Apr.06: 2023:

#AceNewsDesk – A campaign by local primary school students has inspired a new sculpture of Red Dog at his birthplace in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, sparking an inter-town rivalry.

A bronze statue of a puppy in front of a map of Australia
Red Dog has been immortalised as a puppy in a new sculpture at Paraburdoo.(Supplied: Shire of Ashburton/Elly Lukale)none

The iconic dog was born in 1971 in mining town Paraburdoo, more than 1,500km north of Perth.

He and his original owner later moved across the Pilbara to Dampier, where the first Red Dog sculpture was erected in 1979, honouring the kelpie’s famous travels and friendships across thousands of kilometres in the north-west.

Also known as the Pilbara Traveller, his story has been immortalised in book, film and, as of Tuesday evening, a second statue.

Ashburton Shire President Kerry White is “absolutely” expecting an influx of visitors to see the new sculpture at Paraburdoo, which she insists is far nicer than the “pretty plain” monument in Dampier.

A statue of a dog
The original Red Dog statue sits at the entrance to the Pilbara town of Dampier.(Stephen Stockwell: ABC Rural)none

But Paraburdoo Primary School deputy principal Caragh Livingstone played down talk of sculpture conflict.

“Healthy rivalry is fine, but I think more so it’s about us being highlighted as part of the story,” she said.

“It is such a legend that people associate with the Pilbara, and now we get to celebrate that we were part of the origin of the Red Dog story.”Ashburton Shire hopes the new sculpture will help attract visitors.(Supplied: Shire of Ashburton/Elly Lukale)none

Red Dog’s vet, Rick Fenny, was in Paraburdoo for the sculpture’s unveiling and says the sculptures complement each other.

“These two statues bookend the [Manuwarra Red Dog] Highway,” he said.

“There’s the opportunity for a lot of interpretative [signage].

“It is, in my opinion, going to be one of the greatest tourist attractions in this country.”

Inspired by children’s voices

When then Paraburdoo Primary School captain Holly Dutch went on Year 6 camp to Dampier, she saw the famous Red Dog statue there.

“I wondered why he wasn’t recognised in the place he was born,” Holly said.

After receiving her school’s support, she addressed councillors in 2018, who backed her idea for a statue.

Despite leaving town a year later, Holly’s family stayed in touch.

The shire invited Holly, now aged 16, to unveil the sculpture.Holly Dutch was front and centre at the sculpture’s unveiling on Tuesday.(Supplied: Shire of Ashburton/Elly Lukale)none

Coincidentally, the family was already preparing to relocate back to Paraburdoo.

“It was fantastic and the greatest moment when he was unveiled,” Holly’s mother Kim said.

“The kids were patting [and] hugging him and it was great to see the joy on their faces.”

Deputy principal Caragh Livingstone has lived in town for the past decade and says children’s voices are “pretty powerful”.

“[It’s] a really wonderful reflection of our town and school that the idea was shared and then also supported and now brought to fruition,” she said.

“Red Dog’s a bit of a local icon and part of our town’s folklore.”

ABC AUSTRALIAN HISTORY NEWS REPORT
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