Carnarvon woman celebrates after leading community effort to install landmark to commemorate eclipse

A new sculpture put in place on Carnarvon’s foreshore was a welcome addition as the town celebrated the total solar eclipse last week.

The Ring, a landmark installed along the fascine on April 12, is a metallic structure with lighting which glows orange and red at night, to commemorate the eclipse which took place on April 20.

Margaret Seaton, founder of local company Carnarvon Cleaners, lead the effort to organise having the sculpture made, with support from the State Government.

The 3m-wide ring was designed by Melbourne-based design group RAMUS, and is made of corten, stainless-steel and programmable LED lights.

The idea came about during a discussion in early 2022 among locals about how Carnarvon could make the best of the eclipse.

“It started with a casual conversation at a pub, we realised the eclipse was happening and we wanted to get something done,” Ms Seaton said.

Ms Seaton helped organise the process for having the sculpture made, and provided part of the funding for it, but insists it was a community effort, with other local people and companies, including organiser Justine Campbell Lawer, Carnarvon Engineering and Portside Engineering.

“We worked very hard, it was very much a community effort,” Ms Seaton said.

“I want to have a plaque on it, to let people know it was a Carnarvon effort.”

The local business owner said she hoped the sight, and its night-time visuals, would help convince tourists to extend their stay in Carnarvon.

“It’s a feature that’s best in the dark, so I’m hoping it can help convince visitors to stay for even a night,” she said.

“I love our little town . . . it’s been very good to me and I wanted to add something to it.”

Carnarvon Shire president Eddie Smith said he believed the sculpture would Carnarvon’s “Instagram spot” for tourists looking for the perfect photo while in town.

“It’s absolutely beautiful sight, and it captures the eclipse perfectly,” Mr Smith said.