Putting the George back in St George
Celebrating St George’s Spirit: The Unveiling of the Merino Ram Sculpture at the Merino Motor Inn
The Merino Motor Inn in St George has long been a local icon — a welcoming stopover for travellers and a proud part of the Balonne community. Now, it has a new landmark to match its name and spirit: a stunning Merino Ram sculpture, unveiled this week by owners Jono and Tam in front of councillors, community representatives, staff, friends, and family.
Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present
At the unveiling, owner Jono expressed his gratitude to those who attended and acknowledged the significance of the event.
“Thank you councillors and members of various organisations around town, to our staff, friends and family for coming to the unveiling of our sculpture which, if you haven’t already guessed, is an amazing Merino Ram. We appreciate you being here today and supporting us in this endeavour.”
Jono also took a moment to recognise special guests with deep connections to the Motor Inn’s history — Ian and Kay Coutts, members of the original ownership group, and Robyn Todd, whose parents were among those who built and ran the business in its early days.
“Tam and I purchased the business just over a year ago,” Jono said, “and we thought it would be a great tribute to the original owners to commission a sculpture relevant to the name of the business. The sculpture is also a tribute to the beautiful town of St George and its history, and we hope that it assists in bringing tourism and business to our town and promoting all that the Balonne Shire offers.”
We would love to acknowledge the local schools who engaged in coming up with the name "George" there were many great ideas, however the name George just resonated with the local history and what it means to be from St George.
The Artist Behind the Masterpiece
To bring this vision to life, Jono and Tam turned to a renowned Queensland artist, Kyle Mansfield of Mitchell. Known for his remarkable skill in capturing the essence of rural Australia through sculpture, Kyle began working on the project around seven months ago.
Kyle’s story is as inspiring as his art. Formerly the owner of Mitchell Bakery (2006–2023) and featured on ABC Landline in 2023, Kyle has made a name for himself across the region for his incredible metalwork and lifelike animal sculptures.
His accolades include:
- 2019 Winner – Roma Show Outdoor Sculpture
- 2020 Winner – David Bryce Rural Art Award (Sculpture)
- 2021 Winner – Local Section, Sculptures Outback
- 2022 Winner – People’s Choice, Sculptures Outback
- 2023 Winner – Local Section & People’s Choice, Sculptures Outback
- 2024 Winner – Cultural Award, Maranoa Australia Day Awards
- 2025 Winner – Maranoa Region Sculptures Outback
Among his most recognised works is the
Racehorse sculpture at the entrance of Bassett Park Racecourse in Roma — a testament to his artistry and dedication to rural storytelling through sculpture.
“We were told the best animal artist around was a gentleman called Kyle Mansfield from Mitchell,” Jono said. “We hope you all enjoy his work and appreciate his amazing talent as much as we do.”
A Symbol for the Community
The Merino Ram now proudly stands as more than just a sculpture — it’s a symbol of St George’s resilience, creativity, and community pride. It honours the past while looking toward the future, inviting visitors and locals alike to stop, reflect, and celebrate the unique character of the Balonne region.
For guests staying at the Merino Motor Inn or travellers passing through St George, the sculpture offers the perfect photo opportunity — and a reminder that country hospitality and artistic excellence can thrive hand in hand.
