Our Story
How it all began
Harmony Walsh was one of ten presenters at a Bright Ideas Night held in Kyogle in 2016 where people presented their ideas to improve Kyogle. Harmony's idea to build a Labyrinth won the peoples’ choice award and thus began our story….
It would be a place of tranquillity and beauty offering the healing power of the Labyrinth to all who visited. It would be created by the community for the community, a place for reflection, contemplation, and celebration.
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The labyrinth has been built in stages:
STAGE 1:
Firstly, decisions were made about the layout of the Labyrinth.
A diverse group of local people, inspired by Harmony’s passion and commitment formed a group, Friends of the Labyrinth (FoL), to create a Labyrinth in Kyogle.
STAGE 2:
Reaching out to the community …
Information stalls were held at the Bazaar and the local markets so that an understanding of the meaning and purpose of the proposed Labyrinth could be offered to all, together with an opportunity to contribute a tile bearing a chosen inscription or artwork. These tiles would mark out the pathway leading walkers to the centre of the Labyrinth.
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Schools, community organisations, churches and service clubs were contacted with information and invitations to participate.
Concurrently liaison was established with Kyogle Council to obtain agreement for the project to go ahead, find a suitable location and request ongoing material support.
STAGE 3:
A community-powered construction...
Possible outside funding sources were researched and applied for, along with sources of materials and skills required. A concrete foundation was laid by Kyogle Council.On top of this foundation 1,745 pavers were laid with 650 of these were engraved with messages and information from the community.
In co-operation with Council, the Labyrinth and surrounding gardens were laid out adjacent to Alcorn Park and the Caravan Park. Working bees were organised to build the gardens and to install the tiles to mark the pathway.
STAGE 4:
FoL held four community workshops to create colourful mosaic pavers to provide some colour and fun into the labyrinth.
FoL organised 4 community workshops to make 68 mosaic pavers. These colourful were designed to insert some colour and fun into our labyrinth. They have now been laid in the labyrinth and around the beautiful seats overlooking the labyrinth.
STAGE 5:
Timbers from a local sawmill were erected to create a portal at the entrance to the Labyrinth.
STAGE 6:
First Nations people were recognised and seats were crafted locally and installed.
SHARING OUR STORY ON BACKROADS
An invitation was made to, and accepted by, the ABC Program 'Backroads' to visit Kyogle, with the Labyrinth being a feature of the story.
You can watch the story here.
COMPLETE WITH SIGNAGE
The information sign, which is enhanced by beautiful artwork by local artist Linnie Lambrechtsen was designed, crafted and installed.
All Welcome
You are invited to:
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Visit the Harmony Labyrinth and experience it in your own unique way.
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Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in adjacent Alcorn Park.
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Join with the Friends of the Labyrinth to help with care for and maintenance of the Harmony Labyrinth and gardens.
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Arrange your own event at the Labyrinth – perhaps a memorial service, a marriage, catching up with friends, or a school excursion.
The Kyogle Labyrinth was also featured on an episode of Back Roads (ABC). You can watch it here.
A Circle of Friends
Friends of Labyrinth are committed to inclusivity, connectivity and encouraging as much community participation as possible. FoL has around 25 active members, and our greatest resource has been the voluntary contribution of the broader community.
We have recorded over 3,500 voluntary hours of work contributed through street stalls, working bees, workshops, and many sundry activities.
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The Kyogle Labyrinth was also featured on an episode of Back Roads (ABC). You can watch it here.