Stop what you’re doing and revel in the beauty of the Big Bogan:
Sweet merciful Jesus – is this not the most beautiful piece of art you’ve ever laid eyes on? We’re cracking a fat one.
The country NSW town of Nyngan, proud owner of this soon-to-be ~iconic~ 5-metre high statue, falls within – wait for it – the SHIRE OF BOGAN.
LIKE, YOU’RE TAKING THE ACTUAL PISS, RIGHT?!
The statue is a pretty accurate depiction of a true-blue ‘Strayan bloke: be sure to note the fine craftsmanship of the Australian Cross tattoo and giant-ass esky.
The plan for the statue was revealed in April earlier this year. Reverend Graham McLeod of Nyngan’s St. Mark’s Anglican Church (what a fucking legend) proposed the idea to the Bogan Shire Council (BAHAHAHA, SOZ, STILL FUNNY) in hopes of attracting tourists to the small town of 2,000 residents.
“Firstly I thanked the mayor for not pooh-poohing the idea straight away, fascinatingly none of them objected. They were very much of the opinion ‘let’s give this a go’,” he says.
“I thought, we better latch onto The Big Bogan. What would happen if Logan in Queensland decided they wanted to build the ‘Bogan from Logan’ and beat us to it?”
(GOD FORBID).
“It’s about tourist potential and place recognition. Nyngan is a place where you leave Dubbo of a morning and stop for morning tea. This gives people another reason to stop. Actually, I’m even hoping we can attract people from overseas to come and sit with The Big Bogan.”
In order to fully cash-in on the Big Bogan’s tourist-attracting potential, the town’s ordered stubbie holders and replicas to sell at local outlets (possible advertising slogans include: ‘perfect for the pool-room‘).
The mayor of the Bogan Shire Council, Ray Donald, has said “the response has been very good.”
IT’S A 5-METRE STATUE OF A FUCKING BOGAN, OF COURSE IT HAS.
If there’s one way to put a small town in a ridiculously-named shire on the map, this is it.
Well played, Nyngan. Well played.
Via traveller.com.au.
Images Via The Bogan Shire Council.
