How exciting it is to assist with the launch of a new product. Well, it is more than a product. It is the result of extended collaboration across the nation. Over the 8 and 9 March weekend two physical sculptures were opened to the public and gifted to the Shires of Manjimup (Northcliffe location) and Denmark. Councilors from each shire acknowledged the collaborations and thanked all participants.

How Geoparks WA became involved was due to having seen the augmented reality sculpture and hearing from Ben Beeton and Traditional Custodian Aunty Carol Petterson at Mt Magnet Geofest in 2018. The Genestream Journey project was a perfect fit for geoparks bringing the Abiotic (sky and Earth), Biotic (flora and fauna), and Culture (Aboriginal culture) together in a sculpture.

In 2024, Ben Beeton and Mali Moir approached Geoparks WA to see if we could assist with the documentation of the opening of the Genestream Journeys sculpture project. We agreed and obtained a Lotterywest WA grant and a contribution from the Main Roads Department of Western Australia.

The Genestream Journeys project was initiated by Aunty Carol Petterson AOM with Ben, they devised a unique model to show deep time, links between time and biota (plants and animals) and with Aboriginal cultural interpretation of the land. Mai Moir was instrumental in capturing the artistic representations of flora and fauna that can be seen on the inside of the sculpture panels. Local Aboriginal artists voluntarily contributed their artwork, and this is shown on the outside of the panels and is seen as one walks towards the sculpture.

At each launch there was a wonderful turnout of the local community to see the opening of the sculptures. The sculptures will form the basis of a southwest cultural drive that will take in Capel, Northcliffe, Denmark, Porongorup (Twin Creeks), Ravensthorpe, Bremer Bay, Wave Rock, Kellerberrin and Kings Park. They won’t all be physical sculptures; some will be augmented reality displays. Each will be unique to their location.

Gondwana Link auspiced the design, construction and placement of the Genestream sculptures. It required considerable collaboration to achieve this incredible outcome.

Watch Dr Noal Nannup & Dr Alan Briggs discussing GeoParks & the Genestreaming Sculptures

Dr Alan Briggs
President – Geoparks WA
Email: Geoparkswa@gmail.com