UTES IN THE PADDOCK
A unique Australia Attraction, the “Utes in the Paddock” All Holden Utes, began their life near the small village of Ootha, 30km east of Condobolin, it was there for 8yrs and brought many visitors to the region, It was inspired by a similar bizarre thing America.
The owner of the property Burranwang West, (a property where I lived when much younger), Graham & Janna Pickles, were travelling along Route 66 when they come across the ‘Cadillac Ranch’ and though about the idea “What if we created a high quality, authentically Australian outdoor gallery that celebrates outback life?” They had the perfect place their home in the middle of the state. Once home the ‘Ute fever’ began with work mates and Friends.
The Pickles, who coordinated the project had established a nonprofit organization to raise funds for the mental health service in the Central West NSW through sales of ‘Utes in the Paddock’ merchandise.
Workers & Friends got ‘Ute Fever’ one I remember well was Bill Royal (Farm Manager) he was still working there from when my dad was boss. Mike Taylor was approached to source the Utes as he was the owner of Taylors Auto Center and family friend as well as the NRMA Roadside service. Steve Long of Parkes who is from ‘Signs you See’, perfect for signs to tell stories about each of the Ute. Then there was Tony Mariuce ‘Auto engineers’ and Andrew Broderick a Holden dealer.
In 2009 it started with 15 Ute, then four years later there were 20, all different models. In 2016 the Ute needed to be moved so the Lachlan Shire Council bought land on The Gipps Way, Condobolin (my home town) to place the outdoor gallery for them. The Ute were updated and however some were not renewed, some were replaced with new ones.
The Ute are the canvasses, they have been donated by locals, it is the unique bush attraction to visit in the heart of NSW. Utes in the Paddock won the 2020 Best Sculpture Park or Trail. It is also part of the Down the Lachlan River Sculpture Trail, between Condobolin and Forbes.
They are currently doing some work in the area building an information centre, caravan parking and heavy vehicle parking. So in the not too different future will be full of much more about the area…
Some about of the Utes
Most of the Ute have information about them, some need to be updated, they are a little hard to read.
The very first Ute to be organized was by a friend of the Pickles John Murray, back in June 2008 it was ‘Circle Work’ which is an ode to the B&S ball larrikin lads and ladettes, it went on from there. Others ‘Clean Running Backed by Ned’, by Paul Blahuta. ‘The Stockman’, by Michael Jones. As well as ‘UteZilla’ by Jim Long from Midnight Oil & Stephen Coburn these are all some of the original Utes.
New to the collection is ‘Camels: First Outback Ute’ by Clark Barrett. ‘Ute of Arms’ is an original and the boys who completed this Brad Brown & Scott Edwards were doing cutouts for other utes and wanted in on the projects so built this one. Local Artist Karen Tooth has Australia’s most Famous Dame on one of the Utes as well.
Many of the artists are World renown with their own galleries all over Australia and art work all over the World. Some are self taught, some Doctors some teachers, some even musicians, however they are all Artist in their own Rights.
To Claim a find on this Virtual please the answers to the following questions.
1 The animals on the ‘Ute of Arms’ cannot do what?
2 Who is the Dame that is bogged down and what are the creatures she is bogged with?
What are the Coordinates of this Ute from the fence line?
3 How many sheep are on the ‘Golden Valley’ Ute on the passenger side?
4 The Utes have been put in a particular order, what is it?
5 Please attach a picture to your Log, of yourself or your username on paper with your favorite Ute in the background?
You may log your find when you send your answer, and I will contact you if there are any issues.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.