JOHN Murray’s dream of creating a giant emu perched over the highway outside Lightning Ridge has finally come to fruition.
An 18-metre-tall emu constructed from more than a tonne of scrap metal, three Volkswagen bodies and a pair of rusting satellite dishes now sits by the Castlereagh Highway, about 10 kilometres from town towards Walgett.
Mr Murray said the big emu – nicknamed “Stanley” – was launched in “true ‘Ridge style” on Saturday night with the Lightning Ridge Central School Aboriginal Boys Dance group performing an emu dance.
More than 600 people from throughout the region attended the ceremony which was followed by a giant fireworks display.
Mr Murray’s dream from 2007 was taken up by Coonamble welder and co-creator Tim Parsons, who constructed “Stanley” on his farming property, “Orwell”, Combara.
The metal was recycled from the old Dubbo Police Station when demolished for the new “modern” block.
“Stanley” got his name from Orana Police Local Area Commander Stan Single, who originally hailed from Coonamble, Walgett and the ‘Ridge region.
Mr Single, now Orana Local Area Command at Dubbo, is pictured (right) with Mr Murray and Tim Parsons.
A time capsule was also inserted into the body of the structure to be opened in 50 years.
The Walgett Shire Council is also offering a $10,000 prize to the person who creates the next sculpture theme, which will be placed at a strategic spot along the highway.
The prize was expected to be an ongoing enticement to encourage the creation of more sculptures, to develop an attraction along the highway.
