Mintaro Slate is recognised as being the best in the world, which is why artist and stone calligraphist Colin Fenn prefers to use this material above others.

“I just collected the slate this morning, and can’t wait to start work on it,” Mr Fenn said on Monday.

“I work with Mintaro slate a lot and have currently received a commission as artist-in-residence at the Mulga Bill Festival in Yoeval, New South Wales, where I have four large pieces to do in Mintaro slate, ranging from 6-800 kilogram slabs.”

Each piece will have inscriptions relating to bush poet Banjo Patterson – some information about the poet, the words of Waltzing Matilda, excerpts from the Man from Snowy River and Mulga Bill’s Bicycle. When completed, the pieces will be set on the banks of the Buckinbah Creek as part of the “Poets Walk”.

“Mintaro slate is wonderful to cut and carve. You can get quite high relief and it’s wonderful for letter cutting.”

Mr Fenn is one of the few craftsmen in Australia who work with traditional tools to handletter stone or create patterns and carvings.

For the St Stanislaus’ disc, Mr Fenn was commissioned to inscribe half with a Celtic Cross and half with an animal (possibly a goanna) symbolising the spirituality of the Wiradjuri people.

St Stanislaus’ College headmaster John Edwards said the disc would be in place at the college entrance in time for a visit by 2200 young people as part of World Youth Day festivities.

The college entry feature is made up of ancient pieces of limestone, other large rocks from the local area, Mintaro slate and a water feature, all surrounded by native plants. The assemblage represents a timeless celebration of faith, God’s creation of life and presence.

Mr Edwards said all pilgrims and visitors would be given a tour of the college including the entry feature, with an explanation of its significance.

Mintaro slate is also used elsewhere in the college, as part of the floor in the upper tower of the new performing arts building where it forms part of a significant mosaic.