Daisy the Cow

Daisy the decorated cow is a Kiama icon.

Daisy is a local community public artwork available for anyone to paint. She was born into the Kiama community in 1991 and lives at the Old Fire Station Community Arts Centre in Terralong Street. When an exhibition is showing, Daisy is on show out the front on the street.

Daisy is modeled on a real Illawarra Shorthorn cow named ‘Meadowhaven Daisy the 47th', bred and owned by local farmer Tom Walsh at Jamberoo. Daisy was sculptured by Italian-born artist Ernesto Murgo (1931-2003), who came to Australia in 1956. Ernesto was buried at Gerringong Cemetery in 2003. Daisy's body is made of wire and paper-mache, covered in plaster and sisal.

In 2015, Daisy was covered in a coat of kevlar and fibreglass to strengthen and preserve her. Daisy is available as an ongoing community public artwork available for anyone who wishes to apply to paint her. Her coat is changed throughout the year by local residents and artists who want to give her a new lease of life.

Here are some of the many faces of Daisy the Cow over the years.

Ernesto Murgo (the artist who created Daisy), up close and personal with 'Meadowhaven Daisy the 47th', c.1991

Ernesto planning his work, c.1991

Ernesto Murgo, the artist, meeting 'Meadowhaven Daisy, the 47th', bred and owned by local farmer Tom Walsh. c.1991

Daisy being transported to the Old Fire Station, ready to be decorated for the very first time, c.1991

Daisy the chameleon community cow

Decorated to promote the Kiama Jazz Festival