Mighty Mulloway
A gift to the Yalata community, celebrating culture, country and conservation
In July 2026, a two metre bronze mulloway took flight above Yalata, South Australia, a gift from the Yalata Anangu Aboriginal Corporation Board to the community it serves.
The mulloway holds deep cultural significance for the Yalata people. Choosing this species for the sculpture wasn't just an aesthetic decision, it was a way of honouring what the fish represents to the community and the coastline they call home.
From clay to bronze
Every bronze sculpture begins as a plasticine original, and Mighty Mulloway was no exception. Sculpted true to life at two metres long, the clay model captured every scale, fin ray and expression needed to bring the fish to life, right down to the texture of its skin and the curve of its open mouth.
Once the clay form was ready, it was taken through the mould making process and cast in bronze. The patina work that followed gave the piece its striking colour, shifting from deep bronze along the fins to a rich, sea-toned green across the body, with subtle flecks of light catching the scales. It's a finish that echoes the mulloway's natural colouring while still feeling like a work of art in its own right.
The finished sculpture now sits atop a stainless steel column at Yalata, standing tall against the open sky. Its position lets the fish appear to swim through the air above the community, a fitting tribute to a species so tied to the waters and culture of the region.
Beyond the sculpture
Mighty Mulloway is part of a bigger picture for Yalata, supporting the community's growing profile as a tourism destination on the Eyre Peninsula. The sculpture also nods to Yalata's commitment to catch and release fishing, a practice central to the community's fish preservation program and one that protects mulloway stocks for generations to come.
