The Whale in the Tree
The Whale in the Tree
Middleton’s remarkable community story comes to the screen
What began as a fallen red gum tree in a paddock near Naracoorte has become one of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s most loved public artworks — and now the extraordinary story behind Middleton’s iconic whale sculptures is coming to the screen in a new community-produced documentary, The Whale in the Tree.
Part of the 2026 Winter Whale Fest program in Victor Harbor, the 40-minute documentary tells the remarkable journey of how a small coastal community transformed a massive fallen red gum into the stunning sculptures of Southern Right Whale mother and calf, now affectionately known as Buttons and Bobby.
Produced by the Middleton Community Association with filming by local volunteers and editing by Lea Brooks, the film captures every stage of the project — from the moment Middleton residents voted unanimously to bring more public art and joy to their town, through to the carving, lifting and installation of the sculptures overlooking Basham Beach.
At the heart of the story is renowned South Australian sculptor Silvio Apponyi OAM, whose chainsaw artistry transformed the ancient timber into the graceful forms now admired daily by locals and visitors alike. The documentary follows Silvio’s work in extraordinary detail, including spectacular drone footage of the giant red gum being lifted from a Naracoorte paddock, transported across the state and painstakingly carved beside the ocean.
The film also explores Middleton’s deep connection with Southern Right Whales, which return each winter to the sheltered waters of Encounter Bay to calve and nurture their young. The sculptures themselves were inspired by real whales — a mother whale known as Buttons and her calf Bobby.
More than simply a film about sculpture, The Whale in the Tree is a story about community spirit, creativity and collective belief. Volunteers, local businesses, donors, grant organisations and residents all played a role in bringing the ambitious project to life.
The documentary includes beautiful cinematography, still photography and narration, alongside images of the traditional Ramindjeri smoking ceremony to welcome the tree to Country.
Tickets are $10 through TryBooking, with all profits supporting future art projects in Middleton.
Organisers hope the screenings will not only celebrate the whales themselves, but also recognise the extraordinary community effort behind them.
“What began as a fallen tree became something much bigger than sculpture,” project coordinator Jen Watts said. “It became a symbol of what a community can achieve when people come together with imagination, trust and determination.”
Bookings can be made through TryBooking – search ‘Middleton Whales.’