THE Penola community has thrown its support behind the recent appeal to commission a bronze bust of renowned Penola-born poet John Shaw Neilson.
Penola and District Cultural Fund chairman of trustees Peter Rymill said the recent appeal for $16,000 to commission a bronze bust of the poet was met with an excellent response.
“So far, $12,000 has been contributed and with a further $2000 promised, the trustees’ target is well within sight and is hoped to be reached by the end of the month,” Mr Rymill said.
This follows the official launch of the Penola District Cultural Fund’s John Shaw Neilson Bronze Sculpture Appeal last month at the town’s Poets’ Corner.
Mr Rymill said surplus funds would be held in trust and go towards their next project, which will be to commission a similar bust of another of Penola’s famous poets, Will Ogilvie.
Both of the busts will eventually join Adam Lindsay Gordon, who is already commemorated at Poets’ Corner.
“Incidentally, the Neilson appeal has received an anonymous donation of $500 electronically with no identification and we would be glad to know the identity of the generous donor so that he or she can be suitably acknowledged,” Mr Rymill said.
Adelaide sculptor Judith Rolevink has designed the bust of John Shaw Neilson.
