The not-for-profit Mullumbimby Gateway group has started installing its colourful, new totem pole at the intersection of Gulgan and Mullumbimby Roads.
Mullumbimby Gateway received a NSW Government grant in 2018 to refurbish two totem poles on the site, that were installed in 1988, but unfortunately when work started it was evident that white ants, weather and time had taken their toll on the Nature and Peace poles.
The new totem has been donated to the Gateway and after two years of hard work by skilled artists and volunteers, the 15-metre high Uplift totem is in place incorporating the goanna, whale, dolphin and carpet snake which are important symbols to the Bundjalung of Byron Bay – Arakwal Bumberlin people .
It's been painted by well-known indigenous artists, Richard Clarke and the late Digby Moran and has been cleaned and refined by local sculptors Greg Bowering, Paul Hinchey and Jason Morning
The project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with the Mullumbimby Gateway Association Inc.
At the same time as the installation of the new totem, Council relocated the existing rotunda which was originally on privately-owned land.
It is now on land owned by Council, which will make it easier for future maintenance work.
A path connecting the Uplift pole, new signage and the rotunda will be installed in the next several weeks.
