Larger-Than-Life Sized Founder's Statue Commissioned

For several years the school and a number of ardent supporters have been working on a way to pay suitable tribute to Shawnigan's Founder, C. W. Lonsdale. Early on it was proposed that a larger-than-life sized statue would be most fitting - especially in the lead up to Shawnigan's Centennial in 2016. The School engaged internationally-acclaimed sculptor Mardie Rees to create a scale model statue. She visited Shawnigan twice for archival research to make sure she accurately captured the clothing, style and aura of the man responsible for the magnificent campus that is Shawnigan today. Ms. Rees unveiled her scale model at the 2010 Founder's Day reunion. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive. This set the stage for an initial round of fundraising to see if there was enough interest to take the project from scale model to larger than-life-size. The mini statue made the rounds at various school events.

Enthusiasm and contributions built to the point the School was comfortable in commissioning the full statue this August. Ms. Rees is now busily fashioning the mold for an 8' 3" bronze-cast statue. It should be complete in 2014 and in place for the lead up to the 2016 Centennial celebrations. But more funding for this worthy project is still required. A gift to the Lonsdale Statue Fund can be made as your contribution to the 2012 Annual Fund Campaign. You will receive a tax receipt. As well, there will be a recognition wall or walkway with the name of every donor engraved in brick. Please help us to pay tribute to the man whose vision, drive and determination created our great school.

"When I first heard of the proposal to erect a statue of our School's Founder, C. W. Lonsdale, I thought, "Oh, great idea." Now, many months later and having dwelt on the idea, seen a scale model of the statue and talked to the plan's instigators, I am even more enthusiastic. It just seems utterly appropriate to so honour "The Head" as we students called him. The great force of his personality was a positive influence on many a young man and the passage of time does not diminish all that was good about him or his life's work. Quite simply, Shawnigan would not exist as the fine school it is today had he not carved it out of the wilderness of Vancouver Island and kept it going through the most difficult circumstances during its early years. The idea of a statue to stand forever in his honour is one which I support most heartily. I am grateful to my classmates of the 1940s and 50s who originated the idea and for the fact that it is happening in my lifetime so I am not denied the opportunity to contribute to its creation and installation. The statue will be larger than life, like the man himself. The scale model can be seen in the school library. I encourage all Shawnigan alumni, whether they had the privilege of knowing the Founder or not, to get behind this tribute to the man who created our school. The Lonsdale statue will be a most fitting testimonial to his legacy as the School celebrates its Centennial in 2016."

Sincerely,

Gordon Parke '48 (Groves')

For more information on contributing to the Lonsdale Statue Fund, please contact Steve Housser at: 250-743-6290 or shousser@shawnigan.ca