Artist : Suzanne Fischer

Sponsor: Hello Koalas Gallery + Gift Shop

Location: Hello Koalas Gallery + Gift Shop, 2 / A1 Blackbutt Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444

Description / Inspiration

Augie The Cyclist was inspired by the artist's interest in cycling, health and wellbeing and represents a cyclist performing in Ironman events, held locally in Port Macquarie each year. Augie bears the letters PMQ to represent Port Macquarie and is honoured with international cycling colours on each arm.

Artist Biography

Suzi Fischer is a qualified PE Teacher and Physiotherapist. She left Sydney some years ago to "retire" early to Port Macquarie at the youthful age of 48 years old. And in 2022 returned to Sydney.

Suzi grew up in a arty-crafty household - but being self-employed and working 6 days a week in Sydney meant that she had no time to be "creative" since leaving school.

Suzi entered the Kempsey Art Prize in 2013 with a sculpture called "Sheep". She was very nervous about entering as she never even contemplated entering an art competition. She was astonished when her name was called out as the winner of the Sculpture prize.

Suzi was then encouraged to enter the Manning Gallery Exhibition "Naked and Nude".
Again she was very surprised that her work was chosen as a finalist among some truly talented artists.

Suzi painted two Hello Koalas sculptures for the Trail in 2013/2014. The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail was launched in September 2014 by the NSW Premier.

Augie was inspired by Suzi's interest in cycling and represents a cyclist performing in Ironman with Port Macquarie with international cycling colours.

Suzi's second sculpture 'Granny Square' was inspired by Suzi's Grandmother. She smiles as she remembers all those hours spent together crocheting granny square blankets.

Until moving to Port Macquarie Suzi had not picked up a crochet hook for almost 30 years.
The design is a tribute to her Grandmother and all those Grandmothers who taught the next generation the wonderful craft of crochet.

In teaching Suzi to crochet her Grandmother also showed her the power of positive ageing.
She crocheted as she lived her life… with an abundance of fun, love and laughter. Granny Square is currently taking a well earned holiday after ten years of being on the Trail and will be back soon! Follow Hello Koalas on facebook and Instagram.

Location Info

Augie The Cyclist has joined the Hello Koalas team on display at the Hello Koalas Gallery + Gift Shop. The new address since 1 May is 2/1A Blackbutt Road and the space is three times of the size of its previous address in Bellbowrie road. Turn into Blackbutt Road off the second busy Lake Road roundabout. On the corner of Lake Road and Blackbutt Road is Coastal Music and Jaycar Electronics at 1 Blackbutt Road. Behind these businesses is the shopping strip known as 1A Blackbutt Road. Look out for the tall sign saying 1A Blackbutt Business Centre near the road. Opposite on the other corner is Subway and the very pink building of Miss Motivator which is directly opposite 1A Blackbutt Road. Tenants include Hello Koalas Gallery + Gift Shop (right hand corner of the car park), Romer Locks, The Seed Art School, Oxley Signs, Good Therapy Coffee Co and Lunico Candle Co. Hello Koalas Gallery + Gift Shop is a shoppers' delight with the best display of high quality koala-themed giftware, toys, art materials, and accessories for the home in the world! No wonder Port Macquarie is the "Koala Capital of Australia!" You can pick up a free Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail Guide & Map which will show you where all the 91 Hello Koalas are located with information about their sponsors' address, opening hours and websites. The Hello Koalas Gallery has a display of 25+ Hello Koalas sculptures from the Trail so you can see a lot of Hello Koalas sculptures all in the one place. Hello Koalas also now has 50cm high sculptures painted by artists or made in bronze. Hours of opening are Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Outside the entrance to Hello Koalas Gallery + Gift Shop, you will see several one metre high Hello Koalas sculptures waiting to welcome you.