By Bonny Burrows
An $80,000 sculpture of Pakenham’s iconic bunyip will be unveiled later this month.
Mr Yakkerboo, a mythical bunyip-style swap character, will be honoured with a bronze and steel artwork in Main Street, Pakenham.
Funded through Cardinia Shire Council’s 2016-’17 budget and created by artist Julie Squires with the support of local children, the statue will display Mr Yakkerboo with a Blue Heeler dog.
Mr Yakkerboo is a unique symbol of Pakenham, born and bred in the imaginations of local residents in 1976 and majestic in its role as the official mascot of the Yakkerboo Festival Parade.
The Blue Heeler, aptly named Blue, references the pastoral history of the area and provides a context for Mr Yakkerboo, as well as being the right size for younger children to engage with.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen said the work was part of the Public Artwork Program 2016-’17, with a new piece being commissioned for a different shire ward bi-annually.
“This time around it was Central Ward’s turn,” councillor Owen said.
Ms Squires’ work was selected by a panel of council and community representatives, and was chosen for its interpretation of the mythical character.
“The selection panel felt this concept represented one of the more unique identities of Pakenham culture and would be something local children could interact with and love,” Cr Owen said.
Children from Garfield, Officer, St Patrick’s and Upper Beaconsfield primary schools, along with students from Pakenham Consolidated School and Pakenham Secondary College assisted in creating the bunyip’s scales.
A date for the official unveiling will be released by council shortly.
