In the vast and rugged expanse of South Australia, where the red earth stretches to the horizon and the nearest neighbour might be hundreds of kilometres away, creativity can flourish in the most unexpected ways. For 10-year-old George Williams, the remote organic beef cattle station he calls home between Oodnadatta and William Creek has become both a playground and an artist's studio. Here, amidst the solitude and the silence, George has found his voice through the sparks of a welder's torch, transforming discarded farm parts into award-winning sculptures.

George's journey into the world of art is as unconventional as his workshop. With no bustling streets or crowded galleries, his inspiration comes from the land and the machinery that tills it. He's the youngest artist to feature in this year's Brighton Jetty Sculpture exhibition in Adelaide, a testament to his unique talent and vision. Welding, for George, is more than just a pastime; it's a way to connect with his environment and to make something beautiful from the remnants of rural life.


'We can't really play a team sport,' George explains, highlighting the isolation that comes with living 650 kilometres northwest of Port Augusta. 'I do play some social sport about 500 kilometres away from here at Quorn. If I'm not doing that [welding], I'd be riding my motorbike or playing cricket with my brothers.'


Self-taught and driven by curiosity, George watched his father work in the shed and began to experiment with his own designs. From whimsical windmills to playful snails and dogs, his sculptures are born from a process of trial and error, imagination, and a touch of youthful fearlessness. 'Just messing around, welding things up and seeing if it looks good, and then if it doesn't, I just knock it off with a hammer,' he says with the candidness only a child can possess.


For George and his siblings, who attend School of the Air and spend much of their day on laptops, welding offers a much-needed respite from the digital world. Kirsty Williams, George's mother, emphasises the importance of hands-on activities in their remote lifestyle. 'Because they do School of the Air, they're on their laptops a lot of the day, so that's why they're not allowed their screens out of school,' she says. 'But they keep well and truly busy between mustering, and helping dad, and animals, and all the things that come with farming life.'

George's talent has not gone unnoticed. He took home the People's Choice Award at last year’s Bungala Sun and Solar Sculpture competition in Port Augusta, pocketing a prize of $2,500. 'Once I knew I won, [I thought], 'I want to try this again',' he recalls. With the winnings, he bought a motorbike, fueling another passion of his young heart.

For the upcoming exhibition, George has crafted an emu sculpture from treasures unearthed at the local dump. The body is a repurposed gas bottle, the legs are motorbike handlebars, and the tail is fashioned from old motorbike chain sprockets, with horseshoes serving as eyebrows. It's a piece that not only showcases his skill but also his ability to see potential in the most ordinary of objects.


Kathryn Casey, chair of the Brighton Jetty Sculptures, speaks highly of the volunteer-run exhibition, which doubles as a fundraiser for the local Surf Life Saving Club. This year, they've received entries from 130 artists across South Australia, including 15 regional artists like George. 'We have been encouraging young artists to enter,' Casey says. 'Our focus since last year has been to encourage more artists from the regions … we've been contacting the regional art galleries. We're here to promote all artists.'

While George dreams of winning an award in the youth category, he remains grounded about his future. 'At the moment, it's just a hobby,' he says. 'I'd rather be a mechanic when I'm older.' But whether he knows it or not, George is already an artist, one whose work speaks to the heart of the Australian outback and the spirit of innovation that thrives within it.


As a team of judges prepares to assess all entries, the Seniors Discount Club community will be cheering for young George, a beacon of youthful creativity and proof that art can flourish in the most unexpected places. What do you think of George's sculptures? Have you ever turned something old into something new? Share your stories with us in the comments below!