We’ve got the Kookaburras Junior AFL Club, and soon Bundaberg will be visited by the biggest kookaburra.
On 31 July Bundaberg will be visited by a 750kg, electronic kookaburra which emits its own iconic laugh.
The kookaburra is a passion project of Dr. Farvardin Daliri OAM, an Australian sculptor, who used his time in COVID lockdown to build the eight-and-half metre long, and four-and-half metre tall kookaburra.
CEO of Healthy Nations, Paul Timms approached Farvardin about the possibility of bringing the giant kookaburra to the region, and having it visit the Kookaburras Junior AFL Club who have been unable to play as a result of COVID restrictions.
“The Kookaburra’s season was unable to go ahead because of COVID, but a new program designed to get more kids moving in Bundaberg was launched for Term 3 thanks to the support of St Luke’s Anglican School and a group of passionate local families,” Paul said.
“At this point in time the communities need laughter and joy, more harmony and optimism and he thought this piece of art would captivate people’s imagination and get them laughing.”
“The Kookaburras is the junior sport team, so straight away we thought there’s a lot of synergy there and I believe the kookaburra will be coming out on 31 July to Moore Park Beach to visit them.”
Farvardin will depart Brisbane on July 23 and travel to Townsville.
Over three weeks he will stop at various communities along the way to showcase the Giant kookaburra, run mindfulness workshops and community leader forums.
Some locals may remember Farvardin when he visited in 2019 and brought a giant koala to Bundaberg.
Unlike like last year’s tour, Favardin said this year’s will be much longer and reach out to more communities.
“I will spend more time on the road this time,” he said.
Last year we rushed the koala from Brisbane to Townsville in 9-10 days, but this year we reach out to more communities and people.”
“When COVID lockdown took place, I thought I’ll finish it during this time and felt very much compelled to make it laugh, because with everything going on people need laughter now more than ever.”
“With respect to the social distancing, we are very much planning to visit a number of places along the route and try to visit businesses and schools, so people don’t have to congregate in one place.”
“The message is still clear; we are still coming and there will be a roadmap so people can still see us as we pass and are also invited to participate by suggesting places to visit.”
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