Brad Brown and Scott Edwards - Ute of Arms

What more fitting place could there be for the first model Holden FX ute than at the heart of Brad Brown and Scott Edwards' industrial artwork Ute of Arms? Illustrating the connection between utes and outback Australian culture, the FX claims its rightful place between our country's unofficial animal emblems of the Australian Coat of Arms.  Native to, and found only on the Australian continent, neither the red kangaroo nor the emu can move backward, only forward.  A rendition of Holden's lion insignia in the form of a wind vane moves with changing conditions.  Together, the vane and the animal emblems, symbolize our country's progressive and pioneering spirit.

Brad Brown and Scott Edwards both started their apprenticeships at Agriweld Engineering, Dubbo in 1993 under Mick Lew and Bruce Witheford.  Over the next 15 years the duo honed their general steel manufacturing and machining skills and worked hard to develop successful business management techniques.  They became directors of the company in 2008, when Mick and Bruce retired.

Scott & Brad from Agriweld with Clancy's Stead

Brad and Scott first got involved with “Utes in the Paddock” through Peter Mortimore when he appeared on their doorstep asking for a life-sized horse and stockman to be cut using the CNC plasma profile machine. From that first meeting, Brad and Scott then went on to cut out the transparent horses, Ned Kelly and driver for Paul Blahuta's “Clean Running Backed by Ned”, and the hat and shoulders for Belinda Williams' “Drizakubra”.

After more then a few cold ones at the Ute's Birthday party held by Graham and Jana Pickles at Burrawang West Station, Brad and Scott mentioned to Peter Mortimore that they would like to contribute a bit more to the project. Next thing they knew, an old first model Holden ute appeared in the Agriweld yard.

Brad and Scott's industrial artwork “Ute of Arms” depicts the connection between Holden and Australian culture by showing the first model Holden ute between the unofficial animal emblems of the Australian Coat of Arms.  Atop the ute is a fully operational wind vane featuring Holden's lion insignia.  The Red Kangaroo and Emu depicted in “Ute of Arms” are native to and found only on the continent of Australia, and are symbolic of the country's progressive outlook because these animals can not move backward, only forward.

The legend of the all-Aussie Holden Ute was born back in January 1951 with the production of the 50-2106 coupe utility, commonly known as “FX”. Since then, the Holden ute has become a big part of country Australian culture.

More information about Agriweld Engineering is available from www.agriweld.com.au