Bill Roche - HVG, Pokolbin, NSW, Australia - Living Statues on Waymarking.com

Bill, and his wife, Imelda Roche are co-owners of the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens, in the Hunter Valley. The sculpture, Linda Klarfeld, has done quite a few other bronze sculpture for the HVG, including the sprawling "Expressions of Love" display further back in the Garden.

While the sculpture has been signed for being finished in 2008, it wasn't until October 2009 that the bust was unveiled, in a ceremony in the Gardens that also included unveiling the "Expressions of Love" set.
(visit link)

This is a life-sized bust (from waist up). Bill seems to be wearing a long-sleeved shirt, with cuffs rolled up. He is holding a small pot plant, that is also cast bronze. He has a contented smile on his face. It is on a sawn sandstone slab, that is supported by four other sandstone slabs, forming almost a cube. It is surrounded by brick pavers for the boarding area of the HVG tourist train.

On the front of the sandstone pedestal is a bronze plaque, with the following 'statement' from Bill Roche:

"A love of nature and its wonders was instilled in me from my earliest years and has continued to be an important element of my life, a continuous source of inspiration and joy.

"Creating these Gardens was a long held dream. It became a reality with the assistance of many talented people who shared the passion and whose contribution to the design and planting was a labour of love.

"Our goal was to create a tranquil space of ever changing beauty and harmony, a work in progress, that can be enjoyed now and by future generations.
Bill Roche"

'Five years ago' (currently 2018, so back in 2013) Bill, and his wife Imelda were mentioned in the Australian Financial Review, for their business acumen, and it was mentioned that he was 77 years old. Nothing further found on the couple. (visit link)

YouTube clip of the Uncovering of the bust, and other bronze sculptures:
(visit link) "Unveiling of statues in Hunter Valley Gardens".

Visited: 1305, Sunday, 3 December, 2017

Visit Instructions:
At least one original photo, taken by the poster, of the statue. No internet photos.

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