William Ricketts Sanctuary, Mount Dandenong, Victoria

@JudyEv (339199)
Rockingham, Australia
June 27, 2018 7:13pm CST
William Ricketts was born in Richmond, Victoria in 1898. He was a self-trained potter and sculptor who created a Sanctuary in Mount Dandenong where he settled permanently in 1934. His vision was of an Australia which would embrace aboriginal spirituality and respect for the natural world. He created the sculpture park in 1934 and worked on this project until his death in 1993. The sculptures are made of white ball clay and rocks were positioned especially to create the walk through the Sanctuary. He had a great affinity with the bush animals on his block and revered every stone and tree. His first house was relocated from Melbourne and was very primitive with an earthen floor as per his preference. The log cabin was later moved to its present position where it is used as an Audio Visual display room. He refused to have a large stone removed and the cabin has an alcove around the stone which now has ‘The Elder’ sitting on top. This is the photo I’ve used here. From 1949 to 1960 he made frequent visits to Central Australia, living with several aboriginal tribes and adopting the lyrebird as his totem. Willian lived in the cabin until 1962. Around this time the Government of Victoria bought the Sanctuary from Ricketts. In the 70s he spent two years in India. While William was living in India, the government built him a new brick residence which included a new kiln and gallery area. The new kiln enabled him to produce larger works. William wanted to inspire visitors to feel at one with the land alongside the birds, animals, forest, mountains, deserts, rocks and water. He hoped this would lead to a desire by people to protect rather than destroy the environment. It is certainly a very peaceful sanctuary, designed to refresh the spirit while wandering along the paths among the tall mountain ash trees and lush ferns. There are over 90 sculptures to view almost all of them of aboriginal people and the native animals.
10 people like this
11 responses
@dgobucks226 (35553)
28 Jun 18
Very interesting read! The Aboriginals were the first settlers of Australia as you well know.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
They were the first inhabitants for sure and have been here been for millions of years.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471188)
• Switzerland
28 Jun 18
I am sure it is an interesting place to visit wandering along those paths. I like this sculpture.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471188)
• Switzerland
29 Jun 18
@JudyEv You see very well that they represent native Australians.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
In a way they were all very similar but he paid great attention to the detail of each.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 18
@LadyDuck Yes, they couldn't represent any other race.
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@rakski (121566)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
nice sanctuary. And a lot of sculptures too
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
There were certainly a lot of sculptures. I'd like to do a slideshow of them one day.
1 person likes this
@rakski (121566)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
@JudyEv oh yes, do that please.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
28 Jun 18
An interesting place to spend some time in!
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
28 Jun 18
@JudyEv Or just a kind gesture
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
It certainly was. I was surprised they built a house for him but perhaps that was the agreement when he handed over the Sanctuary.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Jun 18
That is the kind of interesting place I would visit. I never heard of white ball clay.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
I'm not sure what it is although I presume it's white. From Wikipedia: 'Ball clays are kaolinitic sedimentary clays that commonly consist of 20–80% kaolinite, 10–25% ... They are fine-grained and plastic in nature, and, unlike most earthenware clays, produce a fine quality white-coloured pottery body when fired. These weren't 'white' but were light-coloured. Some were covered in moss and have weathered over the years.
1 person likes this
@Icydoll (36717)
• India
28 Jun 18
Sounds like a good place to visit my dear friend
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
He seemed a really nice person from watching the video.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (139604)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
The sculpture is well-done made. I like visiting this kind of place.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (139604)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
We both found it very interesting.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50156)
• United States
28 Jun 18
I love reading about all of your travels
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
Thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying them with me.
@xFiacre (12956)
• Ireland
28 Jun 18
@judyev Now that’s a name I recall. I remember driving (being driven) along the Dandenong Highway on our way to look at Koalas at Philip Island in 1970. We were staying with family in Morwell, east of Melbourne.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
How 'bout that? It is lovely country up there. The trees are magnificent.
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
Love the names! Sounds exotic.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
It is set in rainforest so was pretty damp and earthy.
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
28 Jun 18
I love statue parks. They are so interesting.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
28 Jun 18
@JudyEv I find the setting plays and important role.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339199)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 18
These were in a lovely rainforest setting which enhanced the experience.
1 person likes this