Statues of Dogs, and 'Trim' the cat

The following pictures are a collection of dog and cat statues we have come across, on walks around Sydney. 

 

In a busy part of Sydney, outside the Queen Victoria Building, near a statue of Queen Victoria herself, is a statue of her favourite dog 'Islay'. The statue presides over a wishing well, with donations going to Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children.    [c.1987 by Sydney sculptor Justin Robson]  

'Biggles' (1980 - 1994) the subject of this statue, can be found at the corner of Atherden and Playfair Streets. I'm not sure how he managed to roam The Rocks, but he was regarded as a loved friend, among the residents and shopkeepers of the area. location map
[c.1995 by artist, Anne Dybka] Ref: monumentaustralia

 A plaque near Central Station tells us 'Donna' (1975 – 1995) (below), was a hearing guide dog, the friend and constant companion of John Hogan of Pyrmont, who travelled on trains extensively, throughout NSW.

 The memorial also recognises the love and companionship that all Guide Dogs give to the visually and hearing impaired.
(Sculptor: Ian Shaw)

                                                                                                                                                         

 “For 17 years (1953 – 1978) ‘Billy’ (above) was a familiar figure in Mosman as he went on the daily rounds beside his master, Cliff Williams, a street sweeper. The statue was given a gift as a reminder of the reliance of animals on man and the debt mankind owes to animals.”  - memorial plaque.  [Billy, c. 1978 by Denis Adams]  Located in Balmoral Beach Reserve. location map
 

Next to the State Library, in busy Maquarie Street, is a statue of 'Trim', Matthew Flinders’ intrepid cat who circumnavigated Australia with his master 1801 -1803.  [c.1996 by sculptor John Cornwell]

“The best and most illustrious of his race, the most affectionate of friends, faithful of servants, and best of creatures. He made the tour of the globe, and voyage to Australia, delight and pleasure of his fellow voyagers…”

'Foxie', a bronze sculpture by artist Clary Akon, was commissioned in 2006 to adorn the pedestal of the  'Jessie Broomfield Memorial Dog Drinking Fountain' built by North Sydney Council in 1953. We passed through Bradfield Park North, Milsons Point, early this year, on our way to visit Wendy's Garden. (view post)

Knapsack Viaduct - Lapstone

Knapsack Viaduct, completed in 1867, was originally built as a rail bridge, and formed part of the zig-zag* railway at Lapstone, on the Sydney side of the Blue Mountains.

In 1926 this sandstone viaduct, designed by the railway engineer John Whitton, was widened to accommodate use as a road bridge. The viaduct remained part of the Great Western Highway until 1993, when it was replacing by a section of the M4 Western Motorway.

                                           Elizabeth lookout

The viaduct, 57Km from Sydney, is now a pedestrian path/cycleway which continues down the hill to the end of the Great Western Highway at Emu Plains.  Lucasville platform (left), can still be seen nearby.
When the first Glenbrook deviation was opened in 1892, the Lapstone ZigZag was abandoned, and John Lucas (Minister for Mines), lost the convenient rail link to his country retreat.                   

location map            'WildWalks' notes             

* Sometimes known as the "Little Zig-Zag" to avoid confusion with the Zig-Zag railway on the western side of the Mountains                                             

Fungi

Late autumn and early winter is a good time for observing and enjoying the different forms and colours of fungi. This post is a small collection of photos I have taken on different walks, and as you might be able to tell, some were taken on bush walks and the others on urban walks.

Amanita muscaria

Coral Fungi

      

         

Stinkhorn fungi

  Some informative blogs:  'Fungimap's Blog' and Australian Fungi Blog

Australian Botanic Garden

The Australian Botanic Garden, at Mt Annan, south west of Sydney, has plantings designed to display the diversity of the Australian flora.

The Water Garden, Aust. Botanic Garden - Mt Annan

While there we also visited the Australian PlantBank (photos below) which is located within the Garden. With an estimated 50 per cent of the world’s plant species under threat of extinction, PlantBank aims at safeguarding our plants from an uncertain future. It houses thermal efficient seed storage vaults, climate controlled glasshouses, state of the art laboratories, specialised teaching facilities etc. The photo below shows reflections in the building's stainless steel panels.

 

               Location Map                              More Photos of the Botanic Garden

     Australian Plant Society

            Aust. Botanic Garden info                          Sydney Transport Trip planner