RETURN TO PICTURE INDEX.              RETURN TO HOME PAGE. HISTORY:        BAAART THE RAM.

The Giant Ram (Baaart) was built from 1984 - 1985 in Walker's silo Wagin by Perth based sculptor Andrew Hickson. The large scale animal, built from twisted steel rods, bird mesh and fibreglass was based on a photograph of a prize winning ram from a Wagin stud and is the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and possibly the World. The structure standing 12 metres high, 13 metres long and 6 metres wide weighing 4 tonnes was the dream of David Chappell, a regional co-ordinator with the Education Department based at Wagin. Unfortunately Mr Chappell was unable to attend the erection of "Baaart" next to the Wagin Shire Administration Building on Thurs 9 May 1985 having just been through major surgery for a cancerous growth in his spine. Mr Chappell was naturally very dejected and disappointed at not being able to see his dream come to fruition, for without his insight and extreme hard work, (2½ years) the project would never have come to be. The Town of Wagin owes a great debt of thanks to David Chappell for his insight as the Giant Ram is now a major tourist attraction in the town. TOP