About the statue - Gippsland Immigration Park
The statue, cast in bronze, is the central figure of the Gippsland Immigration Wall of Recognition. The 2 metre high (120%) statue represents a healthy young immigrant worker arriving in Australia. He has a couple of bags, a battered suitcase and one handmade bag in which he holds all his possessions and tools of trade. His stance is surefooted but straining slightly forward, with his hand shading his face against the harsh Australian sun as he begins this new stage of life.
The statue was constructed in the traditional method by William Eicholtz, using the ‘lost wax’ casting method. The various stages are shown in the attached images. William exhibits his work throughout Australia and is featured in international collections. He works primarily from his Melbourne sculpture studio. He has studied sculpture throughout his life, has acquired a first class honours degree in fine art and has been teaching for many years at university level.
His success as a sculptor is demonstrated by his success in achieving the following awards. The Helen Lempriere National Outdoor Sculpture Award $105,000 prize for "The Comrade's Reward" of 2005.
The Woollahra Small Sculpture Commendation $2,000 for "Paysans de Limoges" - the Comrade and his Brother also of 2005. The Becton National Sculpture Award, Gasworks Park of 2000 and the Tina Wencher Prize - Victorian Sculptors Association in 1993.