Description / Inspiration

Native to the region, the koala has born witness to European settlement, a tree-top voyeur of our local history.
Inspired by traditional Willow Pattern design, Willow Koala includes allegorical imagery of Port Macquarie’s heritage & culture. It describes the arrival of the first convicts & settlers aboard The Lady Nelson, Prince Regent, and the Mermaid in 1821; the Birpai fisherman represents the original owners of the land; an early botanical illustration by Annabella (Innes) Boswell (1840s); and, historical and contemporary structures set amongst native flora and fauna. Our heritage and history contribute towards the transformation of the landscape and the uniqueness of the Hastings region.