The Big Swoop, a statue in Garema Place of a magpie pecking at a chip, will feature on a $1 collectable coin published by Australia Post this week, part of a series paying homage to 10 of Australia’s Big Things.
This is the first time Canberra is officially being celebrated on a $1 collectable coin, an Australia Post spokesperson said.
The sculpture, by Yanni Pounartzis, was installed in Garema Place in 2022, funded by a grant from the City Renewal Authority.
The limited edition $1 coin and stamp collections can be bought at your local post office or online. Individual stamps cost $1.20, coins $3 each, and the full coin set and accompanying folder costs $29.
The coin collection also includes Queensland’s Big Pineapple, NSW’s Big Banana and Big Blue Heeler, Victoria’s Giant Koala and Giant Murray Cod, Tasmania’s Big Tasmanian Devil, the Northern Territory’s Big Jumping Crocodile, South Australia’s Big Lobster, and Western Australia’s Giant Ram.
One in every 10 coin-sets features a coloured Giant Murray Cod coin, while the other coins can also be found in till change when making a cash purchase in participating post offices.
“Our ‘Big Things’ are colourful, entertaining, and truly make their mark in so many local communities across Australia,” Kayla Le Cornu, a general manager at Australia Post, said. “We’re celebrating some of our most iconic ‘Big Things’ with this new coin collection, in partnership with the Royal Australian Mint.”
Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Charities, Competition and Treasury, said Australia’s ‘Big Things’ are loved by all.
“Whether it’s the Big Banana, the Big Pineapple, or Canberra’s very own Big Swoop, the best ‘Big Things’ celebrate the character of our communities and give visitors a reason to smile and pop in for a visit.
“While the Mint’s ‘Big Things’ coins may be of standard size, the memories they evoke loom large.”
To celebrate the launch of the 10 Big Things collectable coins and stamps, Australia Post surveyed 1,000 Australians nationwide to discover their thoughts and feelings about these giant roadside structures and why they are so loved.
The survey revealed the three most important factors for a good ‘Big Things’ visit are size, condition, and lots to do onsite. ‘Big Things’ that have all three do a great job of attracting people to regional towns.
“’Big Things’ can be a one-trick pony if there isn’t something else to do onsite,” Dr Amy Clarke, a University of Sunshine Coast lecturer and expert on Australia’s ‘Big Things’, said. “Once you’ve got a photo, the chances of going back are low, unless there’s plenty of additional fun to be had. And while people often associate ‘Big Things’ with the 1980s, when a lot of them were built, we’re still building more ‘Big Things’ today.”
