Charles Darwin University’s Indonesian garden has moved one step closer to completion with the unveiling of a symbolic new statue.
Government officials, dignitaries and CDU staff recently gathered on the Casuarina campus for the unveiling celebration.
Entitled “Saraswati”, the statue was donated to CDU by the Indonesian province of Yogyakarta and was officially welcomed to the garden by Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover, Consul of the Republic of Indonesia for the NT Bapak Harbangan Napitupulu, and Head of Tourism and Culture for the province of Yogyakarta, Djoko Dwiyanto.
In addressing the gathering, Mr Dwiyanto spoke of the symbolism contained within the statue of Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, whom he said was associated with purity, creativity and, in particular, science.
The unveiling marked a milestone for CDU volunteer project coordinator Scott McDonald, who is also a Horticulture and Aquaculture Team leader.
“The arrival of this statue really does signify just how close we are to completion,” Mr McDonald said.
With some further landscaping and fencing works still to be undertaken by Horticulture students and contractors, Mr McDonald said he was confident the garden could be completed in as little as two months.
“It’s been a while in the making, but this year the pace has kicked into overdrive and the garden has really taken shape,” he said.
“We’ve had some fantastic support along the way, not only from the Indonesian community, but also from local NT businesses and benefactors who have helped with sponsorship, donations, and in kind support.
“We are so grateful for all the support we’ve received with the project and, hopefully, they will feel as rewarded as I will when the garden is finally open and people are spending time within it,” Mr McDonald said.