PORT Macquarie’s Big Koala has made the cover of Monopoly’s recently released “Big Things Edition”.
The game is a nod to Australia’s unique obsession with the 1075 “big things” spread across the country.
In addition to a koala token, players can choose from miniatures of The Big Banana, The Big Merino, The Big Prawn, The Big Mango, and more.
The game’s release was welcomed by Member for Port Macquarie Rob Dwyer, Hello Koalas founder Margret Maher, Deputy Mayor Nik Lipovac, and the woman who painted the original Big Koala, Pauline Roods.
“[This is] another creative win for local tourism – a true Hastings success story,” Mr Dwyer said.
Situated in the educational and tourism precinct at Guulabaa (Place of Koala) in the Cowarra State Forest, the Big Koala was launched in September 2022 as part of the award-winning Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail.
Manufactured by local industrial artist John Belfield from John’s River, it was funded through sales of a special Port Macquarie edition of Monopoly.
In 2023, it was named the “Best Landmark Sculpture in Australia” at the Australian Street Art Awards.
It is now an iconic public artwork, as are the 91 one-metre high sculptures on the koala trail across the Hastings and Camden Haven – all painted by local artists.
Proceeds from the sale of Monopoly boards, which are available at the Hello Koalas shop in Blackbutt Road or via its website, will help fund a second children’s book about the Big Koala, as well as koala conservation efforts.
By Sue STEPHENSON
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
