Emotions ran high on Saturday when a sculpture honouring the history between Australian South Sea Islanders (ASSI), the Mununjali community and Veresdale landholders was unveiled.

The six metre high two-tonne sculpture was hand-crafted from a fallen 200 year-old iron bark log, that was found at Mt Lindesay, by artist Kakae Pakoa who lovingly worked on the project for three months.

Mr Pakoa said his design reflected the past, the present and the future of the area. “The footprints symbolise the walk the South Sea Islanders did from Redbank Plains to Beaudesert in 1863, when it took them two days to get here to start work,” he said. “They also symbolise the future-moving forward and moving together.”

Mr Pakoa’s wife Natalie said the unveiling of the sculpture reinforced the love and healing she felt after her community’s history with the area was accepted and acknowledged by the Mununjali people. “Now when I come to Beaudesert I feel love in my heart, it is home,” she said.

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division Two Councillor Nadia O’Carroll said it was a “brilliant piece of art” and a wonderful addition to the region’s cultural heritage. Beaudesert and District Community Art Project along with council organised for the sculpture to be created as part of a legacy project of the 2013 ASSI 150 commemorations.

The sculpture sits at Hopkins Park, at Mt Lindesay Highway and Worendo Street, Veresdale on land owned by the Walker family.