Red Dog sculpture unveiled in Paraburdoo

The project was initiated by a requested presented to Council back in 2018 by Paraburdoo Primary School student at the time, Holly Dutch.

Red Dog was born in Paraburdoo in 1971 and owned Col Cummings. In an effort to tire out the puppy, Col would take Red Dog out to Paraburdoo Airport drop him off and then head back at top speed least once a week, Red Dog racing after the car.

When Col Cummings was transferred to Dampier, Red Dog (known as Tally at the time) followed. In his journeys that followed, Red Dog was believed to have returned to Paraburdoo from time to time.

Preparations for the statue began in 2019, and weathered delays caused by roadblocks such as COVID-19 lockdowns and bushfires Down South prior to its completion.

Created by Smith Sculptors, commissioned by the Shire of Ashburton, working with Red Dog’s own vet, Doctor Rick Fenny, and of course Holly, this statue reminds us of the mate-ship, collaboration and community spirit that makes our region such a great place to live.