An artist from the Far South Coast has created a sculpture as a memorial for Parliament's historic national apology to the survivors and victims of child sexual abuse.
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The 1.5tonne artwork was displayed outside Parliament House in Canberra on Monday, October 22 where survivors of abuse that had been involved in the royal commission hung ribbons on it.
Watching them do so was an emotional moment for the sculpture’s creator Richard Moffatt.
“Honestly, how do you put words to it?” the Springvale artist said on Tuesday.
“These people have lived through torture. It was incredibly humbling, and positive as you could tell they were finding great strength in coming together in unity and having such a massive step towards recovery.
“It was very emotional; it was happy, it was sad, it was just about everything you can imagine.”
READ MORE: Bega abuse victim speaks out
Six weeks ago the federal government’s event organiser contacted Mr Moffatt specifically for creating a structure to hang ribbons off for the national apology.
Using a base of granite from the Bega Valley, he then made the tree using steel reo for the roots and branches and steel plate for the leaves.
“It’s an incredible honour to be asked to make something for such a positive, healing moment,” he said.
“Honestly I’m stuck for words because of the enormity of it.
“When you’re in that crowd you can see the people that carry the physical and emotional scares with them and it’s hard for people to hide that.
“But there’s great hope. The greatest thing that can happen from the royal commission is that children in institutions will be safe from now.
“It will be wonderful to think people could see the tree as a symbol of hope, healing and growth, like emotional growth and understanding.”
While Mr Moffatt said he had not experienced abuse in his life like that suffered by the survivors, his father had grown up in an institution.
“Growing up without love colours a person for his life,” he said.
“A tree is a symbol of healing for those incredibly brave people, that community who has to live with that grief and torture.
“I think they’re incredible people, and they’re inspiring.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reported hundreds of abuse survivors had gone to Canberra on Monday to hear the apology, a recommendation of the royal commission established by former prime minister Julia Gillard.
While Mr Moffatt’s artwork is unnamed, as he did not think it was his right to name it, it had been called “The Healing Tree” at the apology.
It will be permanently installed in Canberra, but a specific site has not yet been decided.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
