Sheep in the city (part 2)

Ainslie's Sheep. Les Kossatz. 2001. Cast aluminium on concrete pedestal

This rather uncomfortable-looking sheep is sitting in City Walk, near Petrie Plaza, in Civic. He had a more conventionally positioned friend, but a couple of weeks ago when I took this photo it was missing, apparently stolen (who would do that?).

Anyway - the nearby plaque reads:

Ainslie's Sheep

It is well known that Canberra, the nation's capital, has been described as 'a good sheep station spoiled'.

In 1825 James Ainslie arrived here with 700 sheep to establish Duntroon station for Sydney merchant Robert Campbell. He was guided to the land by an Aboriginal girl. Duntroon included the present suburbs of Reid and Campbell, Mount Ainslie and the site of the Royal Military College.

According to legend, James Ainslie was quite a character and a flashy dresser. There is an account of his embroidered waistcoat being taken by a bushranger. But Ainslie was no mere dandy. He ran the station efficiently, mustering his men for parade each morning.

By 1834 the Duntroon flock had increased to 20,000. James Ainslie returned to Scotland in 1835. Mount Ainslie and the suburb of Ainslie bear his name.