Wagga Wagga Police invite local schools and any other ‘budding’ artists to submit their art works for an upcoming exhibition to help raise funds for local Project Bowen, which commemorates the death of a police officer who was killed on duty in the 1800s.
Project Bowen began in 2013, and was established to memorialise the death of Senior Constable Edward Bowen, who was tragically shot by bushrangers in 1879 in the township of Wantabadgery. While his killer, Captain Moonlight (also known as George Scott), is well known in history pages, Senior Constable Bowen’s sacrifice has largely been forgotten over time.
Wagga Wagga Local Area Command has a limited number of canvasses they can provide for free to schools with a passion for history, art and doing the right thing – not the wrong thing with excuses which is theme of the exhibition. Interested schools can book in for a 45 minute presentation on the Hero of Wantabadgery’s exploits by police to get their imaginations flowing by Contacting Inspector Stephen RADFORD at Wagga Wagga Police Station on 69222599.
Participating schools art works will be displayed at the Wagga Art Gallery between Friday 3 October 2014 to Sunday 12 October 2014 and awards will be presented in various categories. Entries need to be submitted to Wagga Wagga Police Station by 19 September 2014.
Inspector Stephen Radford, said “The school talks conducted have been received well and have included a ‘Hero of Wantabadgery’ historical comic strip and examples of other exciting art works completed to date. We have a number of canvasses left and are encouraging interested schools and talented individuals to contact police if they want to participate in a worthwhile project”.
People wishing to contribute to the fund raising project in a non artistic way can “Buy a Brick for Bowen – and become a foundation of history”. Pavers that will support the monument can be purchased from Wagga Police. Individuals can have their names engraved on these showing their support for Project BOWEN for as little as $40.
Enquiries can be made to waggabowen@police.nsw.gov.au or donations made to Police Credit Union BSB 815000 Account 277506 (Charitable fund Raising Authority: CFN/23148).