While Dubbo recently renewed three of its iconic rhino statues with new art from local students, 'Arthur' the Wellington rhino could finally be on the way out.

Dubbo Council is asking locals: do you want a replacement for Arthur, or has the rhino tourist promotion, now approaching a decade, had its day?

It’s time to decide, with Wellington residents now being encouraged to complete the council poll to help determine what the rhino in Cameron Park — removed about a year ago due to wear-and-tear and other damage — will be replaced with.

As part of its broader rhino renewal initiative, council has allocated $5000 for the project.  

“We have heard from the community at different times about their rhino, and what they would like to see in that space,” Dubbo Regional Mayor Councillor Mathew Dickerson said.

“Because there have been a number of differing views, we are asking the community if they would like to see an updated rhino, or if they would like something else done with that money,” he added.

Options include:

  • a new rhino with artwork designed by a local school student and painted by a local artist
  • purchase of plants for a renewal of the Sunken Gardens
  • a different cultural object, such as a sculpture, with local artists invited to submit expressions-of-interest up to a $5000 value
  • a platypus mural in the CBD painted in collaboration with the community

The Rhino Adventure sculpture trail was created in 2014 to span the region from Bathurst to Dubbo, including Wellington.

The original Wellington rhino features artwork by Jack Randall and local St Mary’s Catholic School student Marissa Stanley, and was affectionally named 'Arthur' after Mt Arthur near Wellington.

Wellington community members interested in having their say can go to: https://yoursay.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/rhino-renewal-project-dubbo-region/wellington-survey

The online survey closes at 9am on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

For those unable to access council’s YourSay page, residents and ratepayers can also visit the Wellington Customer Experience Centre, on the corner of Nanima Crescent and Warne Street in Wellington, to leave a comment.