‘YIMALIKO MAKORO’
Artist: Raymond Smith, Tyler Smith
Client: Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC)
Location: Cottage Creek, Newcastle, New South Wales
Dimensions: Ten 2.3-meter-tall cast aluminium fish sculptures
Completed: July 2024
Special Features: Symbolic representation of a school of fish; integration into a cultural walking route
Our Role: Engineering, Design Documentation, Certification
Overview: “Yimaliko Makoro,” translating to “encourage the fish,” is a compelling Aboriginal artwork situated on the bank of Cottage Creek, adjacent to the Little National Hotel in Newcastle’s Honeysuckle precinct. Unveiled in July 2024, this installation symbolizes the creek’s historical importance as a food source for Aboriginal communities and highlights efforts to rejuvenate marine life in the area.
About the Artwork: Designed by First Nations artists Raymond and Tyler Smith, the sculpture features ten cast aluminium fish mounted atop 2.3-meter poles that elegantly swirl from the ground, representing a school of fish navigating the creek’s waters. This artistic representation underscores the enduring connection between the local Aboriginal people and their environment, emphasizing themes of sustenance, stewardship, and ecological balance.
Community Impact: “Yimaliko Makoro” enriches Newcastle’s cultural landscape by integrating Indigenous art into public spaces. It serves as both a visual landmark and an educational piece, fostering awareness of the area’s Aboriginal heritage and the significance of environmental preservation. The artwork complements nearby installations, such as the “Layers of Us” footbridge, creating a cultural walking route that narrates the site’s historical and contemporary relevance.
Our Involvement: Our team provided comprehensive engineering services for the “Yimaliko Makoro” project, including design development, detailed documentation, and certification. Collaborating closely with the artists and project coordinators, we ensured the structural integrity and durability of the installation, addressing technical challenges to bring the artistic vision to fruition.
OTHER NEWS
SQUID GAMES
Event Engineering provided structural design certification and site inspection for the Squid Game Season 3 launch at Federation Square. Working with XO Media, we helped bring this bold public activation to life with safety and precision.
DARK MOFO 2025
At Mona Foma 2025, Event Engineering provided structural design and certification for some of the festival’s most daring works, including Ogoh-Ogoh: The Purging, Custody by Martiel Carlos, and Hilux Hang. From ritual burn structures to suspended vehicles, we ensured bold artistic visions were realised with safety and precision.
VIVID 2025
Event Engineering is proud to support Vivid Sydney 2025 with structural engineering solutions for light installations and public artworks. As featured in Create Digital, our director Morgan Sheehy shares how engineering helps bring the festival to life.
SYDNEYS SUPER TUNNELS
Watch the EE Team navigate the transportation and installation of the monumental public artworks by Mikala Dwyer in Sydney Metro Martin Place on the final episode of this SBS Series.
GIRLS NIGHT OUT
Girls Night Out captures the playful, exuberant experience of a night out with friends. The sculpture is a contemporary timber assemblage with two figures poised in an acrobatic feat of engineering, interacting with the columns and floating platform, and appearing to be suspended in movement.
CLIFF
Cliff by Janet Laurence is a breathtaking suspended installation of over 150 geological specimens, now permanently housed in Curtin University’s School of Design and the Built Environment. From concept design to installation via rope access, Event Engineering collaborated with artists, geologists, and cultural advisors to bring this complex and culturally significant vision to life.
THE LAND AROUND US
‘The Land Around Us’ by David Cianci stands tall in Townhead Park, Singleton—a 5.7-metre-high sculpture that celebrates the spirit of place and community. Inspired by the local landscape, this striking work is both a visual landmark and a tribute to the region’s natural heritage. Event Engineering provided engineering and certification services to bring the artist’s vision safely to life.
EUCALYPT CANOPIES
‘Eucalypt Canopy’ by Balarinji transforms the M12 Motorway shared path into a journey through Country. Featuring oversized eucalyptus leaf structures, the installation blends cultural storytelling with striking design. Event Engineering provided engineering and certification for these sculptural waypoints, supporting a vision that honours Western Sydney’s six seasons and Aboriginal connection to land.
THE CUSHION HOUSE
The Cushion House brought HOKA’s Bondi 9 to life with a bold architectural takeover of North Bondi Surf Club. Wrapped in a sculptural form inspired by the shoe’s signature sole, the temporary installation was part brand experience, part public art. Event Engineering supported MNR Constructions with engineering and certification to ensure the structure was safe, durable, and as impactful as the concept demanded.
SEEDS OF FLIGHT
Seeds of Flight by Tomás Saraceno transforms Parkline Plaza in Sydney’s CBD into a mesmerizing interplay of light and form. Launched on March 6, 2025, this installation showcases Saraceno’s innovative approach to art and science. Event Engineering provided comprehensive services, including structural engineering, rigging, rope access, and custom hardware solutions. Our collaboration with stakeholders and Studio Tomás Saraceno ensured a seamless installation, featuring a custom pulley system for precise adjustments.