The City of Hobart’s Giant Sequoia Timber Project has attracted a strong response from across Tasmania, with more than 60 expressions of interest received from artists, schools, researchers, community groups, cultural organisations and makers seeking to breathe new life into timber from Hobart’s iconic trees.
Following assessment, 25 projects have been selected to receive timber from the two Giant Sequoias removed from St David’s Park.
The successful projects reflect the remarkable diversity of Tasmania’s creative and community sectors, ranging from Aboriginal cultural works, public art and furniture making to school-based learning projects, veterans’ wellbeing initiatives, vocational training programs, musical instruments and scientific research.
Among the successful recipients are public and private schools and colleges creating student-led projects, Aboriginal practitioners producing cultural objects, researchers investigating tree-ring records, community organisations delivering wellbeing and rehabilitation programs, and artists creating works for public exhibition and storytelling.
Timber collection by successful applicants has commenced, marking the next stage of a unique project that will see the legacy of Hobart’s Giant Sequoias preserved and celebrated through a wide range of community, creative and environmental outcomes across Tasmania.
Quotes to be attributed to Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds:
“While many people were saddened by the loss of these much-loved trees, it’s incredibly encouraging to see so many creative and meaningful proposals emerge from the community.
“We’ve had interest from artists, schools, community organisations, researchers, cultural institutions and social enterprises, all seeking to transform the timber into something that will continue to benefit Tasmanians for years to come.
“The successful projects demonstrate the many ways these iconic trees can continue to contribute to our community through art, education, culture, research, wellbeing and public spaces.”
Quotes to be attributed to The Friends’ School Teacher of Design and Technology Michele Diener (pictured):
“We are looking forward to this great opportunity of using the Giant Sequoia to design and build some much-needed outdoor seating for The Friends’ School community.
“Students will be involved in designing the log into the final product and will be taking part in every step from an excursion to the sawmill, to the final placement on the grounds.
“It’s important for them to understand where the timber we use for our projects comes from and how it is processed.”
View the full list of successful projects on the City of Hobart website.
