A series of two metre sculptures will soon be set along the Obley Road from Molong to Dubbo, via Cumnock and Yeoval.

The 120km paddock art sculpture trail is a project called Animals on Bikes initiated by art enthusiasts Debbie Blatch and Christine Weston, and is hoped to capture the creativity of local artists, students, community groups and even local mayors.

Debbie, an artist and teacher at Yeoval Central School, and Christine, a trained art teacher and marketing business owner in Cumnock, are hosting a competition to build animal sculptures out of non-perishable material that are two metres in height riding pushbikes, motorbikes, unicycles or penny-farthings.

The competition includes categories such as best Australian animal on bike, best foreign animal on bike, best sculpture made by a group, best farmer/farmer’s wife sculpture, best letter box design, and best sculpture made by a council mayor.

Jeff Tanner and Jason Guise of Parkes have entered their sculptures into the competition and look forward to the winners being announced on November 21 with a presentation night following on November 28, where there will be over $5000 in prizes.

Jeff’s sculpture is of a kangaroo and joey on a penny-farthing, which took him approximately six weeks to make.

The materials, consisting of pushbike frames and parts, were welded together and are all recyclable from the tip.

Jason’s sculpture is an emu riding a unicycle and was made from old wheels also found at the tip.

Parkes resident Elsie Mahon has already gained recognition for her letterbox bike design.

The aim of the competition is to create a visual fantasy for children, boost tourism and endorse creativity in the central west.

Initially the project was inspired by Debbie and Christine’s children’s love of going to the zoo and will now turn into a free tourist trail that will operate 365 days a year, visible from any motorbike, bicycle, car or bus window for the pleasure of passing tourists and local businesses.