Sculptures

Two bronze sculptures stand in the family history corner of the cellar door; one of John Riddoch, who founded Coonawarra in 1890, and the other of his grandson, John Riddoch Rymill, an acclaimed polar explorer.

These busts were created by the distinguished sculptor, John Dowie. Now an octogenarian, John was born in Adelaide and served as a Rat of Tobruk in the Second World War. Appropriately, his first commission on his return was the doorway of the War Memorial Chapel at Roseworthy College. 

One of Australia’s most prolific sculptors, his many widely-acclaimed works include the Victor Richardson gates at the Adelaide Oval, the memorial to Ross and Keith Smith at the Adelaide Airport, and the famous Icarus sculpture at Tullamarine.

He was also responsible for the once controversial but now much-loved Victoria Square fountain in Adelaide and, in the new Canberra Houses of Parliament, the magnificent statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second which is amongst the most photographed in Australia.

The last life-sized statue John Dowie created was that of the founder of Penola, Alexander Cameron, which stands in the town's main street. He regards it as his best.

For further information, see John Dowie.