The much-loved sculpture of a kangaroo and joey, commissioned by the ACT Government for the 30th anniversary of Floriade last year, has found its new home. The sculpture, titled Stopping to Smell the Flowers, by artist Jimmy Rix has been permanently installed in the new recreational park on Bettong Avenue, Throsby. The award-winning park has been officially named ‘Joey Park’ in recognition of the new artwork’s arrival.
“The inclusion of this artwork has been a collaboration between artsACT and the Suburban Land Agency, with the sculptures inspiring the park name ‘Joey Park’,” said Suzanne Orr MLA representing the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development at the event “The Joey Park Housewarming Picnic today hosted by the Suburban Land Agency’s Mingle team marks the welcome of the artwork to Throsby with many local families here to enjoy the new park and connect with their neighbours,” Ms. Orr commented.
After being exhibited at Floriade last year a permanent home for the artwork needed to be found. The Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events Gordon Ramsay said the community of Throsby seemed like the right location for the work.
“As one of Canberra’s newest suburbs, it is an ideal place to include a public artwork that will be one of the local residents from the start,” Minister Ramsay commented “Joey Park is a fitting location with its proximity to both Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserves. The area is already home to many kangaroos and other Australian mammals, The kangaroos will be very much at home in this natural environment, standing amongst established gumtrees, and close to the playground where children and their families can enjoy the artwork.”

Artist Jimmy Rix has been a sculptor for 23 years and his public artworks are in collections across Australia, including in Perth, Sydney and Bowral. Stopping to Smell the Flowers is his first work to be permanently installed in Canberra.