Bronze pelican sculpture

In 1996, a pelican was found dead in the harbour with a stomach full of plastic bags. The purpose of the pelican sculpture on the wharf at Kiama Harbour is to act as a reminder to everyone about the impact of plastic bags on marine life.

The sculpture came about after a local resident visited the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre and saw a stuffed pelican from Kiama on display. The bird had died as a result of swallowing plastic bags, which were found in its stomach. One theory is that marine life may mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and consume them.

After the local Kiama resident saw the stuffed bird, she arranged to have a bronze-mix replica of the pelican made and erected on the wharf of the harbour. The artist who made the sculpture was Tim Johnman. The pelican sculpture was unveiled in December 2002.

In addition to the sculpture down at the harbour, Kiama Library has the cast that was used to make the pelican sculpture on the wharf, located in the foyer area.