Today is a rest day for us in Emerald and I am tagging photos and having a bit of a sort!  I am taking so many photos of info at the places we visit.  Not sure what I am going to do with it all later, but I can always create a new vault in my 'Historian' software and store the images there, or delete them when I have created a Storybook!  I am being positive that a Storybook will be created - one day!I took a photo of an intersting sculpture at the 'Stockmans Hall of Fame' at Longreach and the info that was under it.  Didn't read it at the time as there is so much to read and absorb.  Now that I have read it today, I decided I wanted to type it up and include the story in our blogs.  I took the photo towards the end of our time at the Museum.  So glad I did!The Art Piece is entitled - Longford.  The sculpture was created as part of ARTscape 2011 - an event that is held by the 'Spinal Injuries Association'.  Local artists and performers work in collaboration with people with spinal cord injury to create sculpture, visual arts, music and performance pieces. This is Tom Greer's Story:Tom's entire life was spent in the wide-open spaces in far Western Queensland, as a grazier and stockman.  Horses were an integral part of his life on a daily basis, from the time he was a toddler, for work and play on his beloved 'Longford Station'.  A car accident robbed Tom, not only of his mobility and independence, but of the freedom of the lifestyle that comes with living in that big land.  What he didn't lose however, was his determination, his ingenuity, sense of humour and can-do attitude.  When the ARTscape project was raised with Tom, he was adamant that he wanted to weld a sculpture!   Despite the odds, and considerable apprehension from his family and health care providers.  Sue Tilley was the local sculptor that helped Tom.  Sue predominantly works with found and recycled materials, that have a direct relationship to the concept of each artwork.  Sue was captivated by Tom's story and enthusiasm, and his determination to overcome the limitations of his quadriplegia, to be actively involved in the creation of the sculpture.   The creation of a horse was an obvious choice, to immortalise Tom's story and to celebrate his life.  The rearing horse is a symbol of Tom's strength and spirit, rising against the challenges that stood in his way. The greatest challenge in the project was the modification and improvisation required, so that Tom could hold and control the welding torch.  Tom designed the modifications himself, his mental ability more than making up for his physical disability.  Between Tom's ideas and the combined skills of his occupational therapist, Sue and his brother in-law Bob Ellis, Tom was able to weld unassisted.  Each component in the sculpture has a direct relationship to Tom's former life on the land.  Every single weld is a triumph in itself, and symbolises the strength that comes from family, friends and community supporting each other and working together.A number of business were thanked for their donations of equipment, tools and components.  There was a special thank you to the brother in-law Bob for his untiring assistance, strength, enthusiasm and skill.  It is said 'Without him, Longford may well have been much smaller'!

There are so many wonderful stories associated with the 'Land' in the Stockman's Hall of Fame.  Our 'Minister for Tourism' (Delma) is so right -  "The Stockman's Hall of Fame should be on everyone's Bucket List".  4 photos