Artistic eye brings dead wood to life
A decision by VicRoads to lop a tree in front of a Neerim South property has led to an additional artistic element to the southern exit from the town.
Adjoining property owner Phil Mapleson contacted VicRoads to have the tree trimmed as it was encroaching on the walking track and his garden.
“It was coming up to its use by date, they came out to look at it and agreed,” Mr Mapleson said.
“There was a dry bit out the back of it.
“VicRoads trimmed it back and said I could do whatever I wanted with the tree, I could cut down the whole lot if I wanted to.
“I was going to use it as firewood, but Sean Dignum got talking to carver Paul Stafford and the tree got saved.”
After agreeing to the concept, Phil’s wife Mary came up with the idea to carve mythical God Odin.
“My wife’s father was a Scandinavian, and Mary came up with the idea,” Mr Mapleson said. “She’s quite a good drawer. “Odon is a mythical God, the father of Thor.
“He sacrificed an eye for wisdom and had ravens cut off his beard, they fly off and bring back knowledge of the land. It came up really well.”
Mr Stafford said his piece had generated positive interest.
“There was a bloke there that thought it was Jesus, and I told him it can be if you want it to be,” he said.
“It’s what they make of it, really.
“It will be there for a long time, I hope.”