When flood water tore through Queensland’s north-west last year, many properties were left with piles of mangled fencing wire.
But Julia Creek teenager Toby Fitchett has transformed the daily reminder of a horrific event into a thing of beauty — an art piece for the town.
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The 19 year old has done a collection run from affected properties to repurpose the damaged wire into a giant ball.
Currently 2-metres high, the sculpture will have more wire added to it in the coming weeks.
Mr Fitchett said putting the wire to a good use was something he was passionate about, and the community response had been “amazing”.
“Everyone was really happy that it was going somewhere,” Mr Fitchett said.
“It’s awesome. I’m very excited to make it happen, and hopefully have an open day and all that so everyone can come along and look at the ball.”
Mr Fitchett said he hatched the plan after attending a Bent Not Broken tour where rural communities were given the opportunity to learn about making wire sculptures.
“The [Bent Not Broken] ladies came last year and taught us how to do bowls, hats and all that sort of stuff,” he said.
Mr Fitchett said it wasn’t a hobby he ever expected to have and had never attempted it before the course.
“I did a bit in the weekends following the course with some of the ladies that came, and I just really liked it,” he said.
The only male at the course, Mr Fitchett said he was pleased to enlist some more of the local men for the project.
Once the ball is complete Mr Fitchett and the council are working on displaying it in the town.
