AN OIL painting by Victoria-based equine artist Bernice J Dey is the latest raffle prize offered by the Waler Memorial Committee to help reach its $110,000 fundraising target.
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The Waler Memorial Committee, backed by the Tamworth RSL Sub-Branch, launched an appeal on the eve of Anzac Day last year to fund a bronze sculpture for the region in memory of the 300,000 horses that did not return from war.
Only one horse returned from war – a gelding named Sandy belonging to Major General Sir William Bridges who founded Duntroon Mili-tary College.
The sculpture will be designed and cast by Tanya Bartlett, formerly of Gunnedah and now living at Newcastle.
Ms Bartlett is just completing a bronze sculpture of Don Bradman that will be unveiled at Bowral on February 24. Another of her sculptures, of boxer Les Darcy, stands at Maitland.
Waler Memorial Committee chairman David Evans said the Waler Memorial will be Tanya's biggest work yet.
"Tanya rode in the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics and her heart is in horses," Mr Evans said.
"The committee's first fundraising raffle prize was one of Tanya's sculptures of The Man from Snowy River."
Since April last year the Waler Memorial Comm-ittee has raised $17,500 in raffles and donations.
Mr Evans recognises the committee has a long way to go to reach its $110,000 target, but he is hopeful of attracting a significant Federal Govern-ment grant that will boost the committee's coffers well beyond half way.
Several days before the federal election last year, then Veterans' Affairs Minister Bruce Scott was encouraging about the possibility of a Federal Government grant and elevating the project to a memorial of regional importance.
The Waler Memorial funding proposal is now being considered by new Veterans' Affairs Minister Danna Vale.
"I can't project when we will reach the fundraising target but when we make the $100,000 mark, Tanya will start getting serious about working on the memorial," Mr Evans said.
Mr Evans wrote to every equine artist in Australia seeking expressions of interest to donate a painting and assist the committee's fundraising efforts.
"Bernice J Dey res-ponded so quickly and was prepared to meet the challenge of having it ready for the Tamworth Country Music Festival," he said.
The painting is of a Waler horse in military tack, standing in the pose that the completed sculpture will be cast.
The Waler is the horse bred in the Hunter Valley, Tamworth and New England that was an essential part of the Light Horse regiment.
The artist completed the painting in three weeks – including one week drying time – and it was framed by Peel Picture Framing within 12 hours.
The committee sold $750 worth of raffle tickets during the Country Music Festival so the expedient effort all round was worthwhile.
The Waler Memorial Committee painting is now on display at the Tamworth RSL.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at the RSL sub-branch in Kable Ave, at the RSL Club itself or from any of the committee members.
The raffle will be drawn on March 10 at the annual Tamworth Show.
