#3 Flag Lady - Werris Creek, NSW, Australia
S 31° 20.910 E 150° 38.771
56J E 276082 N 6529380
Near the Werris Creek Railway Station is a stainless steel rod sculpture, depicting a 'Flag Lady'.
Waymark Code: WM1177X
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 08/29/2019
Views: 1
This is number #3 in the series of Figurative Figure Sculptures that are placed around the Australian Railway Monument. Each sculpture stands about 3.5 metres high, and is made of countless pieces of stainless rod, of various lengths; and represents a different railway-related occupation. [I think the rods are 12mm diameter.]
The Sculpture is bolted to some grey-painted RSJ (Rolled Steel Joist, or 'I-Beam') that protrudes from the amphitheatre embankment, and over 2 metres off the ground.
The brushed stainless steel plaque Interpretative Marker is riveted to the concrete end of the NNW running alleyway, which is lined with HUNDREDS of plaques and names of railway-related fatalities. Very sobering!! This plaque reads:
#3 FLAG LADY
'Women were often in charge of small stations. Women were employed when and when there was insufficient men, as was the case during the two world wars. Flag Ladies served on many stations throughout the Australian railway system. Their caring and friendly attitude won over many hardened and, at times, frustrated rail travellers.
'They went about their duties in a dignified, polite, and responsible manner, taking great pains to ensure the safety of all in the long tedious hours of their shifts. They presented themselves for duty always impeccably adorned in a uniform that they were proud to wear. Flag Ladies were very highly regarded in the application of their work by the various Commissioners and Heads of Branch.'
[Artist: Dominique Sutton; Commissioned by RailCorp NSW]
Dominque's Website, for this series: Australian Railway Monument
Visited: 0947, Tuesday, 7 May, 2019