THE refurbishment of Daisy the Decorated Dairy Cow is moo-ving forward.
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At the October meeting, Kiama councillors accepted a $9000 quote to repair Kiama’s beloved bovine.
However, council has only agreed to pay $5000 towards the repairs; the remaining funds will be generated via crowdfunding.
The artwork was created in 1991 by sculptor Ernesto Murgo, based on a cow named Meadowhaven Daisy the 47th, part of the Walsh Australian Illawarra shorthorn herd at Jamberoo.
Daisy has since been housed and displayed at the Old Fire Station Community Arts Centre.
Originally made from wire and papier mache, Daisy was later coated in plaster and sisal to protect her original frame.
A few years ago the council commissioned sculptor Anita Larkin to repair Daisy, whose internal wire framework had rusted away.
Earlier this year the papier mache cow’s outlook appeared bleak when it was discovered that Daisy’s internal wire framework had rusted away, and she was considered ‘‘beyond repair’’.
Plans were drawn up to spend $10,000 on a recreation of Murgo’s sculpture.
However, following further examination, it was concluded the original Daisy - which weighs about 200 kilograms - could be saved.
Council was presented with four quotes from Illawarra fibreglassers.
Councillors accepted the most expensive quote from Kiama Fibreglassing, as this was deemed the most comprehensive and included the reinforcement of Daisy’s legs with the extra-strong fibre Kevlar.
Council’s report also noted the possible involvement of Kiama High School students in assisting the process of Daisy’s repairs, providing work-based experience for young people.
Council’s community services director Clare Rogers said different crowd sourcing platforms were being considered.
Ms Rogers said the council had only budgeted $5000 in cultural funds for Daisy’s repairs.
Crowdfunding is a relatively new vehicle for raising funds through donations from the general public using the online community.
Platforms such as Pozible and Go Fund Me provide portals through which fund-raising campaigns can be established and donations received.
‘‘Daisy currently has 530 followers on her Facebook page, a good base from which to start such a campaign,’’ council’s report stated.
The council hopes to raise the additional funds by the end of the summer holiday season, with Daisy undergoing repairs in the first half of 2015.
In 2010, Kiama folk singer and writer Phyl Lobl researched Daisy’s history and documented it as part of a Kiama Library writing workshop.
Mrs Lobl said Daisy was not only an impetus to resume songwriting upon moving to Kiama seven years ago, but also encouraged her to embrace the area’s history.
Mrs Lobl said she would be keen to assist with any crowdfunding venture which would help assure Daisy’s future.
‘‘It’s a great thing to have happened,’’ she said.
‘‘The town has been behind her since she’s been created, and she makes the town a little bit special.’’