The Central Coast's iconic dinosaur Ploddy, will share the Festival of 50 with David and I this year.
Ploddy
is a life-sized replica of Diplodocous (extinct for
more than 150 million years). Celebrations for heritage listed Ploddy
began this week at her home (yes, she's a girl!), The Australian Reptile Park.
 |
| Source: News Limited |
Ploddy was originally build at the former site of the Australian Reptile Park at
Wyoming in 1963 by the park's founder, the late
Eric Worrell, as a roadside mascot.
Sculptor Ken Mayfield constructed her from a
photograph of the largest diplodocous specimen.
The finished product measured over 26 m and weighed about 100 tonnes.
The finished product measured over 26 m and weighed about 100 tonnes.
Ploddy moved from Wyoming to Somersby in 1996
when the park relocated and became Australia's first giant roadside icon!
She is highly visible on a hill adjacent to the
Sydney - Newcastle freeway and is seen every year by over 40 million passing
vehicles!
 |
| LEFT: 1980: Eric Worrel and Ploddy RIGHT: 1996: Relocation of Ploddy to Somersby |
Her concrete skin is repainted regularly to support local charities and events and
is estimated to be 1.5cm thicker as a result.
From one dinosaur to another; Happy Birthday Ploddy!
x KL
Thank you for stopping by my blog. You are very welcome and encouraged to comment, I love receiving feedback!
what is it with us aussies and big things...as in big dinosaurs, big bananas, etc..? I remember seeing a fascinating documentary on the abc about it once.
ReplyDeleteBut I must say, this dinosaur is truly terrific...and a great piece of history. x
Apparently, Ploddy was the first 'big thing' in Australia and started the continuing fascination! She has become a very popular landmark here, especially in her newer location as the landmark to the entrance to the Central Coast region off the F3 freeway. Love seeing her different outfits too! X kl
Delete