On 10 March 1902, Western Australia’s brilliant Engineer-in-Chief, C.Y. O’Connor, rode his horse into the surf south of Fremantle and took his own life.
A few images taken today at C.Y. O’Connor Beach, where a bronze statue of horse and rider emerges from the sea…
He is remembered…
And all around, life goes on…
If you’re not familiar with the horse and rider sculpture, or the story of C. Y. O’Connor, Michael Cathcart interviews sculptor Tony Jones and O’Connor’s great-grandson Mike Lefroy on Radio National here.
looking up/looking down 
Thank you. A beautiful reminder. His death, our debt, our failure. His gifts, his vision, our eternal gratitude.
Beautifully put. Thanks, Nancy.
That’s interesting – Michael Cathcart just raved yesterday about how much he liked this sculpture. Is it just conicidence that you and he are both on the same subject, or was yesterday an anniversary of some sort?
Lovely photos – thank you
Yes, indeed: yesterday was the anniversary of his death (114 years now).
Thanks for the reminder, Amanda. Lovely photos.
Thanks, Maureen.
Thanks for this, Amanda. I’d heard about CY O’Connor and the bronze statue that commemorates him — it was mentioned in two books I read in a row — but I’d never seen the statue until these photos. Sad and beautiful.
It’s strange and moving and poignant, Angela. Of course, that’s the nature of memorials, but I find this one especially so.
Thanks Amanda. I didn’t know this story. So sad, but the statue is lovely. Gorgeous photos — they set up a longing for the sea on this overcast Canberra day!
Part of the history and mythology of WA, Robyn. Hello from the beautiful western coast!
Robyn, I’ve just added a link to a Radio National story about this that went to air yesterday.
Thanks Amanda. That will be some Sunday listening for me.
A moving memorial Amanda. The poor man was so under valued in his own time. Yet we still benefit from his brilliance.
So true. Thanks, Wendy.
Haunting!