By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
A Monbulk lawyer, scientist and author has spent nearly a decade building a unique monument called the “birthday machine” that’s captivated families and locals alike.
Arnold Dix’s project is a rock formation designed to celebrate life, rather than death, and honour those who are still living.
Mr Dix, who also serves as the president of the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association, has travelled the world for his work, visiting ancient structures and monuments that are aligned with celestial events. It was during these travels that the idea for the Birthday Machine began to form.
“I’ve seen so many structures built to honour the dead or gods, but I realised I’d never seen anything created to honour the living,” Mr Dix said.
“I wanted to build something that celebrated life, something simple and grounding.”
Drawing inspiration from his travels and his passion for understanding the relationship between humanity and the cosmos, Mr Dix set out to create a rock structure that would symbolically connect people to the universe.
His vision was that if someone sat at a particular point within the formation, the sun would rise over them, forever, on their birthday. It took him the better part of 10 years to bring the idea to life.
“Building this thing was a huge challenge, I had to figure out where the rocks would go and how to get them into place. I started with a proof of concept made out of fallen trees before moving on to real rocks,” he said.
Mr Dix sourced his rocks from Mansfield, selecting large stones from farmers’ fields.
The rocks range in weight from 5000 to 10,000 kilograms and placing them into position required the use of a crane. Even with the help of machinery, he found the process to be more complicated than he’d anticipated.
For example, he initially underestimated the weight of the rocks, leading to multiple crane attempts
Despite the challenges, Mr Dix’s efforts have paid off, and the project has garnered positive attention from both his family and the community. While his friends and neighbours were initially concerned that he might be losing his mind, the finished product has been met with appreciation.
“It’s something simple yet profound,” he said.
“During the tough times, like when the local undertaker came by during the pandemic, they found solace in watching the sun come up over the rocks.”
Mr Dix has now created 10 birthday rocks, with plans to add a further one and upgrade an existing stone. Each rock has a unique position that aligns with the sunrise on a specific date.
He said visitors including his family and friends have carved their names into the rocks if they have a birthday that corresponds with that particular stone.
When asked about the future of the Birthday Machine, Mr Dix mentioned that he’s thought about opening his property to the public for special events like the solstice or equinox, where visitors could experience the sunrise and learn about the monument’s significance.
“Maybe one day we could host a community event for charity, like a sunrise breakfast or something, I like the idea of it being about life, not just the rocks. It’s a celebration of being alive,” he said.
Mr Dix’s Birthday Machine offers a serene and thoughtful reflection on life, serving as a reminder that despite the uncertainties of the world, the sun will always rise. It’s a tribute to the simplicity and beauty of existence, and a message to appreciate the small, everyday moments that make life so precious.
For now, Mr Dix continues to enjoy his creation on his farm in Monbulk, where the sunrise each morning brings him a sense of calm and connection to the universe.
“Every day I wake up, and I’m grateful for another one,” he said. “It’s good to be alive.”
