Eliza (sculpture) facts for kids

Eliza wearing a T-shirt

Eliza is a cool bronze statue found in Matilda Bay. This bay is on the Swan River in Western Australia. The statue stands on a tall steel pole about 15 meters (50 feet) from the shore. It shows a woman who looks like she's about to dive into the water from a wooden platform.

The Eliza Sculpture

The Eliza sculpture helps us remember the old Crawley Baths. These baths were a very famous place in Perth many years ago. They were a popular spot for swimming and fun from the early to mid-1900s. The statue itself is 2.2 meters (about 7 feet) tall. It even has its own lights, powered by solar panels.

Who Created Eliza?

A talented artist from Perth named Tony Jones created Eliza. The City of Perth asked him to make this special artwork. It cost about $167,000 to create. Tony Jones has made other famous statues too. These include the C. Y. O'Connor statue near Coogee. He also made Sea Queen at Claisebrook Cove.

A Fun Tradition: Dressing Eliza

Eliza was officially shown to the public on October 15, 2007. Peter Nattrass, who was the Lord Mayor of Perth at the time, unveiled it. Since then, people have had a lot of fun with Eliza. Students and other playful people often dress her up in different costumes! She has worn a Santa Claus outfit, complete with a beard. She has also been seen in a fancy dress with a champagne glass, like someone going to the Melbourne Cup horse race.

How Eliza Got Her Name

The sculpture is named after Mount Eliza. This mountain was named by Captain James Stirling. He named it to honor the wife of Governor Ralph Darling. Governor Darling was an early leader of New South Wales.

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