Arabic version: إزاحة الستار عن تمثال يابي عملاق في ويندورا

According to ABC News, a 4.6-metre yabby statue has been unveiled in Windorah in western Queensland, adding the town to Australia’s collection of roadside “big things”. The sculpture was revealed during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Albert Street.

Windorah, about 1,200 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, has a population of 100 and is known for yabbying and its “international yabby races”. Barcoo Shire Mayor Sally O’Neil said visitors stopping at Cooper Creek to fish were likely to find yabbies.

The $13,000 state-funded project is intended to attract travellers and encourage them to stay longer, Cr O’Neil said. She said the landmark could support economic development in communities in western Queensland.

Toowoomba artist Jobella Bennett built the work over three months using bird wire and sheet metal. It is the largest artwork she has made. Ms Bennett said the council asked whether she could make a yabby “as big as you can make it”.

University of the Sunshine Coast history lecturer Amy Clarke said Australia had continued building large landmarks while similar attractions were also common in Canada and the United States. She said the industry had become more professional since the trend began in the 1960s, with councils, community groups and specialist artists helping create giant objects that celebrate towns and draw visitors.