Ballina Public Art – Bronze Pelican

Standing gracefully by the river at Lance Ferris Wharf, the Bronze Pelican sculpture was created in memory of Lance Ferris, founder of Australian Seabird Rescue. Crafted in cast bronze by Frank Miles Fine Art Studio (Alstonville), the piece is both a tribute to Lance’s lasting legacy and a celebration of the seabirds that define Ballina’s coastal environment.

The sculpture captures the elegance and calm of the pelican — a symbol of balance, care, and community — perfectly at home beside the waters that inspired its creation.

Frank Miles, born in Zimbabwe in 1946, is an internationally recognised sculptor whose lifelong intimacy with nature is reflected in his work. After earning a degree in Botany and Zoology, Frank developed a passion for wildlife art, mastering the craft of bronze casting to capture the vitality and emotion of the natural world. Today, his pieces are found in private, public, and corporate collections worldwide, each designed to lift the spirit and connect people with the beauty of their surroundings.