That’ll do, Spud.
In a delightful twist that’s sure to amuse both locals and visitors, Robertson’s famous ‘Big Potato’ has undergone a whimsical transformation into the ‘Pig Potato’ to mark three decades since the beloved film Babe (1995) melted hearts. This playful makeover pays homage to the town’s connection to the movie, much of which was filmed in the Southern Highlands.
The Big Potato, unfortunately known by many names including the ‘Big Turd’ (no explanation necessary), has long been a staple of Robertson’s quirky charm. Constructed in 1977 by local farmer Jim Mauger, the 10-metre-long, four-metre-wide concrete tuber was designed to celebrate the region’s rich potato farming heritage.
The landmark’s glow-up is courtesy of Corrimal artist Samuel Hall, which now features Babe, Ferdinand the duck and the three singing mice.
However, this isn’t the first time the Big Potato has donned a new look. In 2010, the spud sported a Mr Potato Head face (or an attempt of one), adding a touch of humour to its already unique presence.
Here’s what we think The Big Potato should be next …
While the Pig Potato is hogging the spotlight now, here are five other imaginative rebrands that could add flavour to this starchy landmark that we think the town of Robertson should seriously consider.
The Big Hasselback Potato: A sophisticated twist, featuring carved ridges and a crunchy exterior. It may be a controversial opinion, but could there be a better way to roast a potato? We think not.
The Big Jacket Potato: Dressed to impress, this version could be topped with a serving of bacon (sorry, Babe), melted cheese, sour cream and a sprinkle of chives. Seriously, that melted cheese looks good enough to scoop off and eat!
The Big Mashed Potato: A lumpy, bumpy rendition that invites visitors to dive into comfort-food bliss. Admittedly, we were worried this would gain similar monikers to the previous iteration of the Big Potato, but we’re pleasantly surprised with this fluffy, cloud-like potato dream.
The Big Chips: Stacked high like a tower of golden hot chips, this design would surely be a hit with snack enthusiasts. Chippies are always a crowd pleaser after all. Just don’t alert the seagulls.
The Big Pig: Celebrating its current incarnation, this version honours the porcine star that captured hearts worldwide. He really is cute enough to make you turn vegetarian.
Babeworld: Following in the hoofprints of Bluey’s World, we reckon it’s high time for a Babeworld. Imagine this: a fully immersive, multi-sensory wonderland where you can bottle-feed animatronic ducklings, take etiquette classes with Maa the sheep, or belt out harmonies with three sassy mice. Frankly, if Robertson isn’t already on this, they’re missing out on a pig deal.
Robertson’s Big Potato continues to be a source of joy and creativity, proving that even the humblest of vegetables can be a canvas for community spirit and artistic expression.
We can’t wait to see which of these very good suggestions Robertson picks up next! Which one gets your vote?
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