Ross Quarry + Set in Stone Sculpture Prize

When you walk the streets of Ross and admire the array of solid sandstone buildings and of course, the intricately carved bridge, what emotions come to the fore?

Do you admire their beauty, wonder about the generations of inhabitants who lived in them, imagine the history that has seeped into their walls?

How many consider the hard labour of the men that hewed this stone and built these treasures for us to appreciate? Whether convict or master masons, they are the unsung heroes in our midst, which thankfully now will be recognised here at this place.

There have been Ross locals for generations that have understood the value of this site, as well as experts who have identified it as one of the best examples of a colonial sandstone quarry in the area. As a result, there have been numerous conversations about opening the Quarry to visitors.

In 2011, these thoughts were put to paper by Ken and Sheila Pearson-Smith to the Ross Local District Committee. As a Heritage Architect, Ken certainly valued the importance of the Quarry as did the Chair of the Local District Committee, Geoff Cadogan-Cowper but unfortunately without the capacity to raise funds at the committee level, the Quarry remained the same – overgrown, a tip site and covered in gorse.

Finally, in 2015 the Board of the Tasmanian Wool Centre put words into actions and instigated a conversation with the owners of the land, being the NMC and Mr Herbie Johnson, to request leases for the site.

You may wonder why a wool store and museum would do this?

Well, when the Tasmanian Wool Centre was established, one of its founding principles was to foster the economic and social development and improvement of the village. That was reason enough. 

Leases were signed with both parties in 2016 and in 2017 a Grant Deed for funding was signed with the Dept of State Growth Infrastructure Fund.  With the money in the bank, work could now begin.

Paraphrasing what was achieved at the site over the past two years-

 A conservation report – a post and rail fence – site excavations-gorse and other weed removal and spraying – boulder relocation- clean-up days- research, design and installation of interpretive panels- Hand lettered welcome stone-  more clean-ups- boulder positioning-more spraying- dead weeds burnt -another clean-up- formation of the Ross Village Landcare Group- and finally endemic species planting.

Though this project was aimed at opening the Quarry to the general public, it has provided a wonderful way to unite the local community. There has been an amazing response from a wide range of locals who got stuck in with trowels, spades and brushes to clean the stones of debris, spray weeds and replace with plants. We have had some great days talking while we worked!

This is just the start of the journey for the Quarry as there is a lot more to be done on the upper plateau of the site. With the enthusiasm of the Quarry Volunteers this will continue to be achieved. More volunteers would always be welcome!

As an off shoot from the Quarry opening, an annual sculpture competition was established in October 2019. The Set In Stone – Daniel Herbert Prize was awarded for a sculpture made from sandstone using hand tools only. Participants paid a nominal fee for a block of sandstone and then were given a few months to create their sculpture. A judge’s and people’s choice prize were awarded.

It is our hope to grow this prize to be the equivalent of the Glover Prize for sculpture. From little things big things grow!

This year has been hijacked by the Corona virus as the masterclass was meant to be conducted in person later in May. Steps to provide this tutorial through one of the on-line platforms is being investigated.

Enquiries from interested sculptors would be welcome by emailing the Tasmanian Wool Centre at info@taswoolcentre.com.au