This sculpture marks the place the community gathered during the 2011 bush fires. People sought refuge under the boat ramp while fire fighters fought flames engulfing the nearby cafe, another iconic community meeting place.

The sculpture is a monument to the past, the present and the future, and salutes the bravery and united strength of a community. It provides a place for reflection on the losses suffered at a personal, community and environmental level.

In the present, the monument marks a place of daily congregation and reminds us of our inherent interconnectedness. Nothing matters but our connection with loved ones and the support and empathy of a strong network, to share in moments of joy, to face our fears and to shoulder the suffering.

Looking forwards, the monument represents a beacon of hope, positivity and light. The hexagonal column represents the rebuilding of homes with a greater ecologically sustainable footprint. The faces correspond to the rising and setting of the sun in alignment with the summer and winter solstices. The four viewing windows, orientated north, south, east and west, frame different aspects of the coastal environment.

Gnarabup is a place of refuge for all. Visitors are encouraged to think about the pioneering ancestors of the region, and the inherent community spirit of the region, despite the hardships faced.

“During the equinox, the sun beams directly down the 5th hole from above, down and inside out, illuminating the centre of the vaulted pillar and highlighting the greater universal intelligence inspiring our own innate intelligence.” – Kashmir Rouw.