"I've had a couple of tiny little wins before but nothing of that scale or calibre so I was incredibly surprised," Mr Tooth said. "I was very happy."

Tooth says his work I Beam is an abstract construction based loosely around building and construction principles.

The sculpture will now be installed in Mudgee along the river in Lawson Park.

"Mudgee is trying to build an open air gallery in their town similar to Walcha," Mr Tooth said. "I didn't get to choose the site but I will go back down to help install it."

Mr Tooth is currently working on a series of marquettes and small works for a joint exhibition with his fiance Rosie Waugh at the Walcha Gallery of Art which will open on November 1.

As Sculptures in the Garden nears a decade of age, it furthered its reputation as one of the country's leading exhibitions, with thousands heading to Rosby last weekend to view over 270 pieces.

The 2019 event was opened by Walcha sculptor and Sculpture by the Sea exhibiting stalwart Stephen King.

Over 3,000 people passed through the gates last weekend - the takings of which, along with the catering, go to the Mudgee Support Group of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT - and 40 per cent of the works sold.

Proceeds from the exhibition are used to purchase public art for Lawson Park, in the joint venture with Mid-Western Regional Council.