After Harding - an internationally renowned steel, wood and stone sculptor with an impressive body of work in both Australia and abroad - took his life on February 22, 2018, the town rallied together to support his partner Freya and the couple's four young children.

Harding's death rocked the community. In the midst of the widespread grief, one community member - Jacinta Burke - came to a realisation: while his work is prominent abroad and in Canberra and Melbourne, none of his work could be appreciated by those living in the village in which he worked and gave so much back to.

And so a group came together and applied for $65,000 of funding through the state government's Pick My Project program, with a proposal to establish a memorial sculpture to act as not only a permanent reminder of his artistic legacy, but to raise awareness of the high rate of male suicide in regional areas.

Read more: Tributes flow for Matthew Harding

Read more: Application to fund memorial to honour late artist Matthew Harding

Read more: 'It means so much': Matthew Harding's family speak of their loss, thank the community for their support

Coined 'Dancing A Jig With Dad' by his partner Freya, the project was embraced by the community and funded by the government.

The funding allowed the group to purchase two 'jigs' Harding used in the creation of his award-winning sculptures from the family, in order to support them financially.

Located at Trent Creek Reserve, a location which the children pass on their way to and from school, the impressive sculpture sits atop two boulders weighing 12 and 16 tonnes.

A statement at the gateway to the village, the area in which the sculpture sits is a contemplative space for Harding's family and friends to reflect on his life and career.

While the children have grown up and time has continued to tick by, his partner Freya said she was so pleased and grateful to everyone who had worked so hard to bring the project to fruition.

"I hope so much that the people of Trentham are pleased to have this sculpture in their town."

Remembered at the time as incredibly creative, successful and with the 'smiliest' eyes, like many artists, Harding struggled financially in pursuit of his art. But that did not detract from the love and joy found within the walls of their home, in which the family all slept in the one room.

While the installation was delayed somewhat due to weather interruptions, last weekend the community came together for one final step in the realisation of the project.

Showing up in old clothes with spades and watering cans in hand, many of the village's residents helped to plant around the sculpture.

Ms Burke said she was "thrilled" with the final result.

Alongside the sculpture, a contemplation bench has been installed in memory of another of the town's artists, David Bryant. Bryant developed the idea to utilise the jigs to create the sculpture but died unexpectedly of a health condition in early 2019.

The funds were raised for the bench at the annual Hairy Arch show at East Trentham.

A commemorative plaque will be installed at the memorial in coming days, while an official dedication will be made by art dealer Stuart Purves from 3pm on March 22.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis support, phone Lifeline 13 11 14.

Help is also available, but not limited, to the following organisations. You are not alone.

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au

Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467

Mensline: 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au

Survivors of Suicide: 0449 913 535

Relationships Australia: 1800 050 321

headspace Ballarat (for 12-25s and parent support): 5304 4777

Soldier On: 1300 620 380

Ballarat Community Health: 5338 4500

QLife: 1800 184 527 (Support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people)

Family violence: 1800 RESPECT

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