A letter to Snowy Monaro Regional Council administrator Dean Lynch from Penelope Judge of Delegate states that the sculpture would be a marvellous addition to the Bombala Streetscape and should be returned “home”.

“The current sculpture is deteriorating as it was made from composite materials where as this much older sculpture is a bronze casting and has survived for at least 60 years.

“This sculpture is a predecessor to the sculpture in Bombala,” Mrs Judge said.

The sculpture is in the Edna Walling Garden at Binda near Crookwell having been bought by Geoff Ashton from Rix Wright back in the early ‘60s.

Rix exhibited the sculpture along with works by his mother, painter Hilda Rix Nicholas at the David Jones exhibition in 1949.

Rix Wright’s daughter Bronwyn Wright said that Rix was only 19-years-old when he completed this sculpture.

“He had previously completed two other almost life size sculptures for the entrance gates to Geelong Grammar School.

“The sculpture was inspired by local shearers and it would great to have it back on the Monaro.

“In my opinion the price they have on the sculpture is very low – $10,000 to $15,000 would buy it for Bombala or Cooma,” Ms Wright said.

Mrs Judge said that she felt the sculpture would be a brilliant acquisition for the Snowy Monaro Regional Council as it ticks every box for local relevance, historical significance and cultural value.

“It could even be sited in Cooma with information about Hilda, Rix and the sheep and wool industry.

“Time is of the essence with the auction on Sunday and I have asked Mr Lynch if there is a bucket of money that could be accessed to acquire this once in a lifetime significant artwork.”

The Contents of Markdale and the Rix Wright sculpture are on view at Markdale, Binda NSW today (Friday, May 12 from 12 noon to 5pm, Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 9am to 11am with the auction starting at 12 noon at the Crookwell RSL Club, 160 Goulburn Street, Crookwell.​

The catalogue is fully illustrated and online www.shapiro.com.au