Say Hello to Benjamin!
Thank you to everyone who entered and helped us name our beautiful Thylacine sculpture created by Gravelly Beach Metalworks and revealed on 16 May. We're thrilled to announce that he will now be known as Benjamin - a tribute to the last known Thylacine that died in captivity at the Hobart Zoo. The winner of the naming competition has now been notified.
Keep an eye out for a commemorative plaque, which will be installed in the garden bed near Benjamin to honour his name and story.
If you haven't met Benjamin yet, you will find him outside the Sheffield Visitor Information Centre, 5 Pioneer Crescent, Sheffield. Come and take your picture with him and don't forget to #SheffieldTasmania
Endangered Species Day - Held Annually on the 3rd Friday in May.
On Endangered Species Day 2025, the spirit of the Tasmanian Tiger came to life once more in Sheffield, as community members gathered for the official unveiling of a striking geometric sculpture dedicated to the long-lost Thylacine
Held on the lawns in front of the Sheffield Visitor Information Centre, the event drew locals, visitors, and conservation advocates together in a moment of reflection and inspiration.
The sculpture, a bold and modern interpretation of the Tasmanian Tiger, serves as both a tribute to the species and a reminder of the urgent need to protect those still on the brink.
Crafted by Gravelly Beach Metalworks, the sculpture’s angular design captures the mystery and movement of the Thylacine, blending contemporary art with environmental storytelling. Its presence now anchors an important conversation in the heart of “Tasmania’s Outdoor Art Gallery.”
Mayor Kate Haberle of Kentish Council said the public response exceeded expectations. “It was moving to see so many people engage with the story behind the sculpture. The Thylacine represents a powerful lesson in conservation, and today it also became a symbol of hope and action.”
The unveiling was part of global activities marking Endangered Species Day, held annually on the third Friday in May and dedicated to raising awareness about threatened and extinct species worldwide
Parks and Wildlife Tasmania Officer, Shelley Graham, commented that “the reveal on Endangered Species Day serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our endangered species that are facing similar fates to that of the Thylacine.” Visitors are encouraged to share their thoughts online using the hashtag #EchoesOfTheTiger, extending the message of awareness well beyond the event itself.
The Thylacine sculpture, now standing proudly on the lawns of the Sheffield Visitor Information Centre, invites locals and tourists alike to reflect on Tasmania’s unique natural heritage and what it means to protect it.
In concluding the reveal, Mayor Haberle announced a naming competition for the statue, which will run through to 6 June. Entry forms are available from the Sheffield Visitor Information Centre, 5 Pioneer Crescent, Sheffield or online
