Australia's Next BIG Thing - Stanley The Emu

The iconic northern Inland NSW town of Lightning Ridge has unveiled Australia's 'next big thing' in the form of a colossal 18 metre emu, named Stanley, who towers over the Castlereagh Highway and launched a $10,000 sculpture competition at the same time.

The brainchild of local Lightning Ridge artist John Murray and created with the support of the tourism association, the environmentally friendly statue of Stanley rescued a ton of scrap metal, including three Volkswagen bodies and a pair of satellite dishes in its making, while Stanley's legs, neck and main structure were fashioned with the metal from the old Dubbo police station.

The project has been a community effort with many willing locals wanting to be a part of it. All of the workers, labour, steel, VW's, materials - pretty much everything involved in the venture - was donated.

President of the Lightning Ridge Tourism Association, Roger Collins, says it's no secret Australians like to build big things.

"That 'big' enthusiasm is something we wanted to capture and capitalise on since it fits in perfectly with our quirky, slightly 'crazy' nature," says Mr Collins.

"Lightning Ridge has big skies, big personalities, big opals... and Stanley is our next big thing. He stands out strikingly within the landscape."

Big Stanley is not the end of the line, according to Collins.

"We're also launching, with our prime partner, Walgett Shire Council, the inaugural 'Sculptures by the Highway' competition, inviting submissions from interested parties to bid for the opportunity to build up to five large sculptures erected by the side of the Castlereagh Highway."

Sculptures are to be completed and erected by the end of September. Judging for the best sculpture will take place, with the winner to be awarded a cash prize of $10,000 at a celebration to be held during 'ARTtober', held every October as part of Opal Month and featuring a diverse range of artistic activity.

While the inaugural competition will be open to Walgett Shire residents, it may involve "out of region" artists in collaboration with local residents.

"Over time we envisage the competition being rotated to residents of other councils along this stretch of the Castlereagh Highway, starting with Coonamble and Gilgandra. Longer term, we'd like to see it spread on up the Great Inland Way into Queensland."

"This is an exciting concept that in a short period of time has the potential to generate a significant number of sculptures and to develop an interesting route attracting a growing number of travellers to visit our region."

Stanley was officially opened and welcomed Saturday 4th May 2013, in an event that has been described by Lightning Ridge locals as "true 'Ridge' style".

The night was opened with an incredible emu dance performed by the Lightning Ridge Central School Aboriginal Boys Dance Group, followed by the "Welcome to Country", made even more special by the fact it was delivered by Rhonda Ashby speaking in native tongue with Aunty Brenda McBride translating into English.

The 600 strong crowd heard from artist John Murray in a short speech explaining how Stanley came to be and highlighted the community effort that went into the project. John's speech was followed by the Walgett Shire Council Mayor, Mr. Bill Murray, officially opening Stanley.

The Background behind Stanley "The Big Bird"

It's no secret Aussies like to build big things...

With a ton of scrap metal, 3 collected Volkswagen bodies and a pair of rusting satellite dishes sculpted into a colossal Emu standing 18 metres tall towering over the Castlereagh Highway - artist John Murray from Lightning Ridge has certainly trumped the "Big Things" register with his jaw dropping traffic stopping big bird sculpture "Stanley."

While travelling along the lonesome Birdsville Track back in 2007 artist John Murray began to envision a massive emu statue looming over the road ahead of him. John began to draft his ideas into a plan to build a towering high Emu out of scrap metal.

This idea soon grew to be the vehicle for some quality bush style male bonding; a public art installation of gigantic proportions.

As momentum grew the vehicle picked up more volunteering passengers.

First to jump on board was Tim Parsons, the welder and co creator of the sculpture. While visiting John's Gallery, Tim saw the conceptual painting of Stanley and fell in love with the idea. He uttered the words "Gee I'd love to be involved in that" - words have become the catch-cry of everyone involved in the creation of "The Big Bird".

Next to join the venture was Stan Single, Stanley's namesake. Stan donated and sourced VW bodies and recycled steel from the Dubbo Police Station for Stanley's legs.

Soon willing locals came forth wanting to be part of the project - Lightning Ridge is famous for its "can-do" attitude, never waiting for things to happen, rather making them happen! And this became evident once again as Stanley took place. All of the workers, labour, steel, VW's, materials - pretty much everything involved in the venture - were donated.

"Stanley" provided all the ingredients for the perfect blokes adventure; a four year blur of vintage vehicles salvaged from old sheds, rusty hunks of recycled steel, welding, trucks, cranes, drilling rigs. Not to mention the beers as the sun went down and the sculpture landed on his feet in September 2012.

Stanley stands proudly on the site of The Ridge that Lightning Ridge was named after - built by the generosity and willing spirit that is the people of Lightning Ridge.

John hopes this will spur some enthusiasm for future waste to art projects along Australian country roads.