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Darren Chester praises Cowwarr artist Jo Caminiti and her metal kelpies ‘Railway Dog’ to be unveiled in Glengarry on 22 March 2026

Three life-sized metal kelpie sculptures by Cowwarr artist Jo Caminiti will be installed along the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, celebrating the legendary Railway Dog story and boosting tourism.

By news@gippsland - 2nd March 2026 - Back to News

Three metal sculptures depicting a famous kelpie are set to grace the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, thanks to the work of Cowwarr artist Jo Caminiti. Jo bought herself a welder for her 50th birthday and is a self-taught sculptor who was commissioned to create the kelpies by the rail-trail committee. This week, she displayed the finished products to Gippsland MP Darren Chester, who was impressed by the larger-than-life sculptures.

Cowwarr artist Jo Caminiti and Gippsland MP Darren Chester with the metal kelpies which depict the famous ‘Railway Dog’ story from 1935

Sculpture dog trail

Mr Chester said, "The collaboration between local history buffs, the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail management committee, artist Jo and an Alinta Loy Yang B community partnership grant has led to three dogs being created to depict an epic journey"

"It’s a genuine labour of love, re-purposing parts of old cars, horseshoes, garden trowels, nuts and bolts to create such unique artwork. Some of the metal was even salvaged from the ruins of the Black Saturday bushfires in Traralgon South, adding another layer of meaning to Jo’s work.

"The three dogs are 1.6 times life-sized in scale, and the Rail Trail Committee is working with some apprentices from Loy Yang B to construct plinths, and will be installing the dogs at Glengarry, Toongabbie and Cowwarr stations. While they are all in different poses, each kelpie is full of character from the railway spikes turned into foot pads to the brass drawer knobs for eyes, absolute masterpieces!" he said.

Railway dog folklore

For those who haven’t heard the story, the folklore of the ‘Railway Dog’ dates back to a story in the Herald Sun in 1935 about a female red kelpie stray who used to travel on trains around Gippsland, frequenting the Traralgon Railway Station refreshment room for food.

One Saturday, she missed the Stratford train and dashed across the country to the Glengarry shunting yards to catch the train there. But the train was leaving the station as she reached the home signal. The ambitious canine continued the chase of the train to Toongabbie, but missed the train, sprinting on to Cowwarr. She missed the train again, waiting on the platform for the train to return to take her back to Traralgon.

Mr Chester said the community-driven project to immortalise the story with metal sculptures would become a tourist attraction. "Just like the silo art trail, I’m sure there will be visitors who will detour to Glengarry, Toongabbie and Cowwarr to take photos of the kelpies and learn more about the famous story," Mr Chester said. The first sculpture will be officially unveiled at a community event in Glengarry on Sunday, March 22.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead has received the MAV 10-Year Service Award, recognising her decade of dedicated leadership, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening local government and the Bass Coast community.
• Bass Coast hosts 2026 International Women’s Day lunch celebration guest speaker Hannah Diviney at Phillip Island Winery, Ventnor on 6 March 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council will host its 2026 International Women’s Day Lunch on 6 March at Phillip Island Winery, featuring guest speaker Hannah Diviney, celebrating women’s achievements, equality and community connection.
• Neerim Artsfest 2026 celebrates sculptural art, culture, and creativity in Neerim South from 28 February to 15 March
  Neerim South hosts the free 2026 Artsfest from 28 February-15 March, showcasing spectacular sculptures, local culture, scenic walks, parks, markets, food, drinks, and creative experiences near Melbourne.
• East Gippsland Council opens 2026 Australia Day Awards nominations to celebrate outstanding community contributions
  East Gippsland Council is calling for nominations for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, celebrating individuals, groups, and events that make outstanding contributions to the community across volunteering, sport, arts, and environment.
• East Gippsland opens nominations for 2026 Australia Day Awards recognising outstanding community contributions and achievements
  East Gippsland Shire Council invites nominations for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising individuals, groups, and events for outstanding community contributions in volunteering, sport, arts, environment, and service.
• Farm World 2026 at Lardner Park: Ag exhibitions, motocross, rodeo, animals, food, and family fun
  Farm World 2026 at Lardner Park features motocross, rodeo, animal encounters, ag exhibits, hands-on farming experiences, food and drink, and family-friendly activities, celebrating Victoria’s largest regional agricultural event.
• South Gippsland Shire Council congratulates the nominees and winners of 2026 South Gippsland Australia Day Awards and other updates
  South Gippsland celebrated the 2026 Australia Day Awards at Meeniyan Hall, recognising outstanding citizens, youth, and community events, with winners Valerie Wilson, Erica Begg, Rhiannon Rawlins, and Loch Food and Wine Festival.
• South Gippsland Eat, Drink Play Festival celebrates local food, drinks, live music, kids' activities, and outdoor fun and other updates
  Eat Drink Play Gippsland returns this spring at Leongatha Railway Precinct, showcasing regional food, drink, and live music. With daytime tastings, evening entertainment, and kids' activities, it's a family-friendly celebration of Gippsland.
• Yarragon’s Angela Malacarne Park wins 2025 Geographic Naming Award, celebrating local heritage and community contributions
  Yarragon’s Angela Malacarne Park, still under construction, has won the 2025 Geographic Naming Award, recognising Mrs Malacarne lifelong contributions and the community-led naming process.
• Bass Coast Sustainability Festival 2026 celebrates community creativity, and environmental care at Blue Gum Reserve, Cowes on 7 March 2026
  The 2026 Bass Coast Sustainability Festival at Blue Gum Reserve, Cowes, celebrates community, creativity, and environmental care with workshops, live music, stalls, food, and special guest Craig Reucassell.
• Applications open for 2026 South Coast Community Leadership Program Supporting Local Skills Development until 13 February 2026
  Applications are open for the free 2026 South Coast Community Leadership Program, helping locals build skills, connect with peers, and positively impact Bass Coast and South Gippsland communities. Apply by February 13.
• East Gippsland residents invited to provide input on 2026‑27 Council budget, shaping services, projects, and community priorities
  East Gippsland residents can provide feedback on the 2026‑27 Council budget, helping shape priorities, services, projects, and capital works through surveys, community sessions, and ongoing consultations with councillors.
• Tracey Ah Sam named East Gippsland 2026 Citizen of the Year for exceptional service to Omeo community
  Tracey Ah Sam has been named East Gippsland’s 2026 Citizen of the Year for over 30 years’ dedicated service, leadership, and lasting impact on the Omeo community.
• Bass Coast Council adopts 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to support responsible pet ownership and wildlife protection
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan, promoting responsible pet ownership, wildlife protection, and safer shared spaces shaped by extensive community consultation and environmental stewardship goals.
• East Gippsland celebrates community contributions at 2026 Australia Day Awards with Dr Patrick Kinsella as Ambassador
  East Gippsland’s 2026 Australia Day Awards, hosted 21 January at Lakes Entrance, will honour residents’ contributions with Dr Patrick Kinsella as Ambassador, featuring live entertainment, barbecue, and community celebration.
• Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria, make a submission by 15 March 2026
  Parliamentary Inquiry launched to scrutinise Victoria’s 2026 bushfire preparedness, planning, and emergency response across regional communities.
• South Gippsland Australia Day photography competition success and other council updates
  South Gippsland updates: Australia Day photo winners announced, Summerfield Oval renamed, immunisation sessions extended, community events, workshops, youth strategy consultation, and Council job opportunities available.
• Baw Baw Shire Council endorses 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to promote safety, welfare, responsible ownership
  Baw Baw Council has endorsed the 2026-2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to promote responsible pet ownership, enhance animal welfare, ensure community safety, and guide strategic animal management over the next four years.
• Korumburra hosts South Gippsland Garlic Festival 2026 with stalls, cooking demos, entertainment, and garlic-inspired food on 28 February
  The South Gippsland Garlic Festival returns to Korumburra on 28 February, featuring almost 100 stalls, garlic-inspired dishes, cooking demos, chef presentations, entertainment, kids’ activities, and Garlic University workshops.
• Latrobe City Council invites residents to participate in 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey by phone on 16 February and 27 March 2026
  Latrobe City Council’s annual Community Satisfaction Survey will contact 400 households by phone, gathering confidential feedback to improve services and council performance across the city.
• South Gippsland Remembrance Day services to be held in various locations and other council updates
  South Gippsland marks Remembrance Day on 11 November with local services honouring veterans. Plus, free green waste disposal, festive giving initiatives, business support, community events, and engagement opportunities across the region this spring.
• Latrobe City Australia Day Awards 2026 honoured locals’ achievements, service, and community leadership
  Latrobe City celebrated the 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising locals’ dedication, leadership, and community contributions across service, events, youth, senior, and citizen categories.