The ANZAC Centenary Stone was created by inviting the public to join me in carving a 2 tonne block of donated sandstone over two weekends. I had over 100 people turn up from young to not so young, and I helped them to leave their 'mark' as a mark of respect to all the servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice during the past 100 years from this region.

This proved to be a most special and poignant project and as Artist in Residence for the Muswellbrook Regional Art Gallery, with the support of the local council and the many people who came and joined in, we were able to leave behind a sculpture which held many stories in stone. I carved Lest We Forget, into the side of the work along with the shape of a tin helmet on the top, which was designed so as to appear as if it were just left there by a passing soldier. The public works, along with many initials and special carved shapes, included some quite detailed carvings of subjects like a letter home to Mum, the Lone Pine, an engineer's bridge, the Home Fires waiting for the returning service men, the wings of and angel and the Australian Air Force and initials of the only Aboriginal AAF pilot and even a portrait of a father in uniform. So many wonderful details, by so few, for so many. 

My thanks for all the help I received in making this public art project work happen: all the staff at the gallery and council, for the donation of the stone and the excellent Art Gallery Cafe which helped keep me going with great fresh coffee each day.

This work now stands as the start of the Upper Hunter Valley Art Trail. The region has many wonderful places to visit and there are 3 locations where Ben's sculpture works can be found within a day's drive. You can take in the fantastic scenery, award-winning local wines and great foods and coffee in this amazing region of Australia. Muswellbrook Art Gallery, Two Rivers Wines, Denman and David Mahony's Sculpture Gardens in Sandy Hollow.