9 August 2005

The Greater Shepparton community is fighting back after a cowardly act of vandalism destroyed “Larry”. The sculpture, by Pamela Irving, took pride of place outside the Shepparton Art Gallery before being destroyed by fire in May this year.

The “Bring Back Larry Colouring Competition” was organised by the Shepparton Art Gallery to publicise the call for public donations to help rebuild Larry.

The campaign has proven a huge success, with over $7,000 raised in the public appeal and over 440 entries received for the colouring competition.

The winner of the colouring competition is 7 year old Elisa Rigoni from St Brendan’s Primary School. Elisa will be presented with her prize, a “Larry” puppy valued at $250, by artist Pamela Irving at 10.00 am on Friday 12th August at the Art Gallery.

The standard of entries for the competition was so high that the Art Gallery has decided to award a number of runner-up prizes.

Recipients of a $60 Riverlinks voucher are:
* William Keating, 12 years old, from Notre Dame College
* Emily Duncan, 12 years old, from Shepparton High School

Recipients of a complimentary place in an Art Gallery school holiday workshop are:
* Melody Goldsmith, 8 years old, from Bourchier St Primary School
* James Rigoni, 10 years old, from St Brendan’s Primary School
* Dylan Moor, 11 years old, from Mooroopna Primary School
* Shae Darveniza, 7 years old
 
All entries are on display in the Eastbank Centre foyer until the end of August.