Whale Tail (Maamang Ninda)

Metal whale tail sculpture on a concrete base near a waterfront, with parked vehicles, a road, and a blue sky in the background.

Taalinup Augusta’s life-size Whale Tail (Maamang Ninda) sculpture is an art project instigated by the Paint by Numbers Public Art Group, in collaboration with the Augusta Men’s Shed, and brought to fruition by a team led by emerging metalwork artist Amiel Lambert. 

This remarkable steel sculpture welcomes the largest annual humpback whale migration on Earth to Western Australia’s shores. Rising from the grounds of Leeuwin Lions Memorial Park, where the Blackwood River meets the sheltered waters of Flinders Bay, the sculpture stands as a testament to Augusta’s incredible community spirit and deep connection to its rich marine environment.

Viewing the sculpture

The most scenic way to reach the Whale Tail (Maamang Ninda) is via the 20-minute riverside walk on the Pelican Trail from Ellis Street Jetty. From central Augusta, it’s an easy three-minute drive via Blackwood Avenue and Albany Terrace to the sculpture at The Lions Park in the popular Colourpatch precinct.

A large metal whale tail sculpture stands on a concrete base near a waterfront, with trees, grass, and a body of water in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Large metal sculpture resembling a whale tail set against a clear blue sky.
Metal whale tail sculpture on a concrete base near a waterfront, with parked vehicles, a road, and a blue sky in the background.
A large metal sculpture resembling a whale’s tail and fin rises against a clear blue sky.
Five people pose in front of a large outdoor metal sculpture shaped like a whale tail, with water, grass, and trees in the background.
A large whale tail sculpture is being installed by crane onto a concrete base in a grassy park area, while a person walks nearby.

Creation of the tail

Many locals proudly played a part in the Whale Tail’s early journey, with the original concept conceived by members of the local public art group Paint By Numbers and further developed by the Augusta Art Club and members of the Augusta Men’s Shed. 

Their shared vision was to foster a connection to place, showcase local talent and celebrate Taalinup Augusta’s special relationship with the most acrobatic baleen whales, the humpbacks. And it’s a vision that’s gained recognition and support from the Augusta Margaret River Shire throughout the project’s development.

Metalwork artist Amiel Lambert has meticulously brought this vision to life in galvanised steel, in collaboration with engineer Mark O’Grady and supported by Augusta Men’s Shed members, in particular Andy Brown, Jan Ladhams and John Parlor. The result is a striking public art piece with an impressive tail span (or flukes) measuring 3.6 metres from tip to tip – about the size of a juvenile humpback.

A man gestures enthusiastically beside a large metal cylindrical frame in a workshop, while several people talk in the background.
View through a large, curved, perforated metal structure with people and colorful objects blurred in the background.
A person wearing safety gear stands on a platform, welding metal framework inside a workshop filled with tools and equipment.
Person in protective gear uses an angle grinder on a metal structure with clamps and perforated sheets inside a workshop.
Two people in work clothes and gloves hold a long sheet of perforated metal in a workshop, with tools and materials visible in the background.
A person wearing safety gear uses a power grinder on a large metal sculpture, producing sparks inside a workshop with a corrugated metal roof.

The community of Augusta wish to thank

  • Amiel Lambert – Sculptor, Augusta Men’s Shed
  • Andy Brown – Metalworker, Augusta Men’s Shed
  • Jan Ladhams – Metalworker, Augusta Men’s Shed
  • John Parlor – Materials supply, Augusta Men’s Shed
  • Mark O’Grady – Engineer, Augusta
  • Wendy Strucelj – Artist, Augusta Art Club
  • Frank Blocksidge – Artist/Metalworker, Augusta Men’s Shed
  • Carolyn Tenardi – Augusta resident and member of the concept team
  • Vicky & Jim Henderson – Augusta Men’s Shed
  • Augusta Margaret River Shire – Project funding, installation and hosting

“ACDA and the Paint by Numbers Public Art Group are extremely pleased for this project to have come to life, and hope for this magnificent sculpture to be a beloved character of Taalinup Augusta for many years to come.”

Chris Collins – ACDA Co-ordinator

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Get in touch

contact@acda.org.au

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