Giant Ram

Author

Shire of Wagin

Place Number

09031

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Location

Arthur Rd Wagin

Location Details

Local Government

Wagin

Region

Wheatbelt

Construction Date

Constructed from 1985

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted		Category 3	Category 3 Place considered to have a lesser degree of significance; to be retained and conserved if possible, and the conservation of the significance of the place should also be encouraged through provisions of the town planning scheme. It is recommended that prior to any major changes to the place, or demolition, that a photographic record be taken of the place.

Statement of Significance

The ram is a landmark in the town and is clearly evident on the main approach to Wagin.
The ram has social value for the local community, as a tangible reminder, or memorial, to the importance of the wool industry to the development and prosperity of Wagin and the surrounding districts.
The ram is closely associated with Woolorama, the district's annual showpiece.

Physical Description

The ram is a sculpture that replicates a fleeced merino. It stands 10 metres tall over the entrance to Wagin off the main street. The ram is sited near the tourist information board.
The ram is mounted on a timber base supported by four, square brick piers with brick flower boxes at their base. The ram is in a brick paved and landscaped surround.
The ram is constructed with an internal steel rod frame built around a solid steel box network covered with bird
netting and fibreglass.

History

The ram was crafted by East Fremantle sculptor Andrew Hickson a Fine Arts graduate from WAIT. The sculpture is modelled on a prize local ram.1 The ram took eight months to build at a cost of $34 000.
A special removable framework, 9 metres tall, 13 long and 6 metres wide, was designed and fitted for the transportation and erection by Rod and Harley Pederick of Pederick Engineering.
The ram was first proposed by David Chappell, College of TAFE co-ordinator, as a monument to the sheep industry and a reminder of Wagin as the home of the Wagin Woolorama. Woolorama is the district's showpiece which is held annually during the month of March.
Representatives of Lions, Apex, Chamber of Commerce and local tourist body formed a committee. It was financially supported by local stud breeders, business firms and individuals. A tourism grant of $10 000 was obtained for landscaping work at the site.2
The ram is believed to be the biggest replica of a ram steel skeleton fibreglass fleeced merino.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: High
AUTHENTICITY: High

Condition

Good

Associations

Name	Type	Year From	Year To
Andrew Hickson	Architect	1985	-

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	"West Australian".		9-3-1985
	"Countryman". p.3		16-5-1985

Place Type

Historic site

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Present Use	OTHER	Other
Original Use	OTHER	Other

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Other	OTHER	Other Material

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Community services & utilities

Creation Date

22 Jul 1997

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.