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Angela Polglaze
(b. 1968 to d. 2021)
Greythorn Icons
2000
Cypress wood
Dimensions variable

This group of sculptures were created from two-metre cypress logs by artist Angela Polglaze. After graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts in 1997, Angela became known in wood working circles as ‘Angie the Chainsaw Chick’ and began to carve a niche for herself in the realm of public art.  

In 1999-2000, the artist was commissioned by the City of Boroondara to create the Greythorn Icons. She worked closely with Council and the Greythorn Traders Association to create five statues that reflect the local Greythorn Community: a fireman with a dalmatian; a lollipop lady; a shopper and a baker/waiter. When the works were launched on 9 September 2000, each of the statues was presented by a member of the organisation or business they represented. You’ll find the Greythorn Icons in a parkland opposite Greythorn’s Fire Rescue Station 19.

After 23 years standing beside Doncaster Road in Balwyn North, the works underwent a major restoration in 2023 and have been beautifully restored.

four colourful figures and a dalmatian carved from wood. The figures are in a grassy park. The figure in the foreground holds a stop sign
Greythorn Icons
A carved wooden figure of a baker wearing a large white chef’s hat, an apron and black and white checkered pants. The baker holds a newspaper and a coffee, with a tea towel slung over their arm.
Greythorn Icons – Baker/Waiter
Greythorn has been home to a bakery for many years, and cafes and restaurants have long been a feature of the strip. The sculpture of the baker/waiter is a surprisingly contemporary character with her brilliant purple hair cascading below her baker’s hat and reminding us that these are works of the imagination first and foremost. It was presented by the President of Greythorn Traders Association, who also ran the bakery in Greythorn.
A carved wooden figure of a school crossing supervisor. The lady wears a long white coat and green hat. Some lollipops are peeking out of her pocket.
Greythorn Icons – Lollypop Lady
Greythorn’s local lollipop ladies presented the school crossing sculpture. Lollipop ladies were first introduced by Premier Hamer in 1974, following a rise in the numbers of fatalities at school crossings. The name was coined in the UK, describing signs carried by the school crossing supervisors. Cleverly, Angela integrated the lollipop sign within the uniform and added a mouth-watering candy lollipop too.
A carved wooden figure of a glamorous woman with a long blue coat. She has blond hair, bright red boots and carries two shopping bags.
Greythorn Icons – Shopper
The glamorous shopper with her long golden locks was presented by the president of the Australian Retailers Association. This totem is also decorated with some surprising characters, on the shopper’s vivid blue coat a black cat peeks out between the shopping bags. Sculptor Angela Polglaze had a lot of fun over the years depicting women in various guises.
Carved wooden figures of a firefighter and dalmatian. The firefighter on the left wears a red hat and yellow coat and holds a hose. The black and white dalmatian sits beside them
Greythorn Icons – Fireman and Dalmatian
Image credit: The Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board (now Fire Rescue Victoria) presented the fireman and the MFB’s mascot, Kit the dalmatian. One immediately senses the sculptor’s love of colour, the red, purple and yellow on the uniform – a magnet for the eye. The helmet is inscribed with a ‘G’ for Greythorn, in the same script as the former crest of Greythorn Primary School, while the dalmatian is sitting proudly, ready for a pat.
3 colourful figures and a dalmatian carved from wood. The figures are in a grassy park. The figure in the foreground holds a bag
Greythorn Icons
four colourful figures and a dalmatian carved from wood. The figures are in a grassy park. The figure in the foreground holds a stop sign
Greythorn Icons
[alt text: four colourful figures and a dalmatian carved from wood. The figures are in a grassy park. The figure in the foreground wears a bakers hat
Greythorn Icons
four colourful figures and a dalmatian carved from wood. The figures are in a grassy park.
Greythorn Icons

Artwork location

Greythorn Icons are located near the Greythorn Shopping Centre on Doncaster Rd in Balwyn North.

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