A permanent public artwork in Mitcham Reserve honouring the lives of four loved family members and celebrating remembrance, connection and community.
Willow Tree Sculpture (Galatis Sculpture)
Artist: Gerry McMahon
Location: Mitcham Reserve, Mitcham South-west corner of the reserve, near the Scotch College boundary
Installed: August 2017
The Willow Tree Sculpture, also known as the Galatis Sculpture, is a major piece of public art located in the south-west corner of Mitcham Reserve.
The sculpture is a tribute to Greg Galatis, Rosemary Galatis, Willow Hamilton and Caitlin Hamilton, four members of the Galatis family who were tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in 2016. One of those lost was a valued member of the Community Shed, deeply connected to the local community.
Commissioned and funded by the Galatis family, the artwork stands as a place of reflection, remembrance and quiet strength for family, friends and the wider Mitcham community.
The story behind the sculpture
Following their loss, the Galatis family sought a meaningful way to honour their loved ones and create something enduring for the community.
With support from many friends and supporters through donations, the family commissioned a major public artwork as a lasting memorial. City of Mitcham worked closely with the family to identify a suitable location within Mitcham Reserve, close to the Scotch College boundary where Willow and Caitlin were students.
The sculpture has been thoughtfully placed to sit gently within the landscape, offering a peaceful place for reflection while becoming part of the everyday life of the reserve.
About the artist
The sculpture was created by Gerry McMahon, a highly respected Adelaide-based sculptor with many public artworks across South Australia.
Crafted as a three-metre-high copper willow tree, the artwork reflects themes of growth, resilience, remembrance and connection. The willow’s form symbolises strength through adversity, while its organic structure allows light, shadow and movement to bring the piece to life throughout the day.
