Artist : Kim and Wayne Staples

Sponsor: Harold Vickery & Son

Location: Harold Vickery & Son, Unit 1, 51a Jindalee Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444

Description / Inspiration

Charlie the Botanical Horticulturist is named after Charles Fraser, first Superintendent of the Royals Botanic Garden Sydney established in 1816 and Colonial Botanist (1821-1831), as a tribute to the work of all botanical horticulturists.

Charlie proudly wears the accoutrements of this time honoured profession.

Charles Fraser went on many collecting trips, some plants he collected are still growing in the Garden including the Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), one of the tallest trees in the Garden, growing nearby to the Visitor Centre.

Charlie the Botanical Horticulturist is named after Charles Fraser, first Superintendent of the Botanic Garden established in 1816 and Colonial Botanist (1821-1831), as a tribute to the work of all botanical horticulturists.

Artist Biography

Kim Staples is an Australian visual artist, art tutor and art therapist who lives and works in Port Macquarie.

In 2004, she founded Art of Life. Kim is committed to providing an art educational service to the community. Kim's art courses reflect the needs of local individuals including youth groups and people living with alzheimer's, disabilities and other challenging conditions. Kim's mission is to support people to achieve, improve and develop healthy emotions through the arts.


She feels artistic expression is the key to one's soul. Kim tries to reflect this in her artwork by connecting her inner world with her outer world. Her love of culture, nature, colour, texture and the unknown is captured in her diverse style of painting and sculpting.

Location Info

Charlie, The Botanic Horticulturist was created for a travelling exhibition to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in October/November 2019. During that time, around one million people said Hi to 22 Hello Koalas sculptures including Charlie. Charlie also visited the Hello Koalas travelling exhibition to Mt Annan Botanic Garden in Campbelltown in April 2021. Charlie is spending the summer months now at Harold Vickery & Son in Port Macquarie's industrial estate surround by some beautiful leather products. There are also some great local producers in the neighbourhood including Peak Coffee.