NSW-based sculptor Kane Minogue had the opportunity to see his work erected in Lions Park plus meet the South Burnett residents who made it possibleThe Big Peanut was formally attired for its party
April 4, 2022
A Big Peanut deserves a Big Party, and that’s what Kingaroy turned on in Lions Park on Saturday morning for the “official” unveiling of the community statue.
The Big Peanut has been actually standing in the park since last November but Saturday was an opportunity for residents to meet the sculptor, Kane Minogue, thank the corporate and private sponsors, and just have a good time.
There was free face painting for the kids, free fairy floss and a free sausage sizzle cooked by volunteers from the Kingaroy Men’s Shed.
And local residents turned out in force for a little bit of big fun.
Kristy Board, from the Kingaroy Needs A Big Peanut committee, said the Men’s Shed went through all 300 sausages and also sold out its drinks!
The main sponsors for the statue were PCA (a Bega company), G Crumpton and Sons, South Burnett Regional Council and The Peanut Van.
In-kind sponsors were AM Cranes, AMG Electrical, ATC Engineering, Kingaroy Freight Express, JS Signs, Paul Reeves Carpentry and Rixon Design.
Representatives from the corporate sponsors were presented with certificates during a small ceremony.
Also acknowledged were Red Earth Community Foundation which auspiced the project.
A proud Red Earth chair Georgie Somerset said many of the committee members who worked to make the statue a reality were alumni from Red Earth’s unique Community Leadership Program.
The many individuals who donated cash or peanut machinery parts to help with project were also thanked.
Plaques thanking all the sponsors and community “nut funders” have been affixed to the statue’s plinth.
Also acknowledged were the Kingaroy Needs A Big Peanut committee members who had to overcome many obstacles during a pandemic to make the dream a reality: Abigail Andersson, Kristy Board, Rowena Dionysius, Susan Harvey, Greg Lewis, Janene Steinhardt, Tina Torrens and Sharon Trim.
Bacon Man and Percy the Peanut with Abigail Andersson who has been on both the BaconFest and Big Peanut committees; Bacon Man is probably now wondering where his statue is …South Burnett mayor Brett Otto with his wife Ros, left, and Cr Kathy DuffMember for Nanango Deb Frecklington made friends with Percy the Peanut … Percy has been a regular at Kingaroy events from the days of the old Peanut FestivalKingaroy Needs A Big Peanut committee members Abigail Andersson, Tina Torrens, Rowena Dionysius, Kristy Board and Greg Lewis pose with sculptor Kane Minogue, centre, and Kingaroy icons Bacon Man and Percy the PeanutCr Danita Potter and Deputy Mayor Gavin Jones were also admiring the improvements in Lions Park
Sonie Crumpton (G Crumpton and Sons) and Bega PCA site manager Peter Baumann were two of the major sponsors thanked for their support of the project
South Burnett Regional Council CEO Mark Pitt praised the big ideas and big imagination that had created the Big Peanut
What would a party be without music? Tony and Gavin Cisneros, from Mr Q, were providing live entertainmentKay and Ralph Clark and Eric Ford, centre, were working hard on the Kingaroy Men’s Shed sausage sizzle stallTully Andersson, 12, created a “Big Peanut Farmer” and was the overall winner of the colouring-in competitionAnita Horne, from The Peanut Van … The Peanut Van was another sponsor of the project and had free peanut tasting at their stall; their main van is located opposite Lions ParkLarissa Leadbetter, from Bell, was doing the free face-paintingRed Earth Community Foundation chair Georgie Somerset and Board Director John Carey were proud of what the Community Leadership Program alumni had achieved
Kingaroy Needs A Big Committee’s Kristy Board compered the day and thanked the community for their support
Georgie Somerset said the statue acknowledged the pioneering families who had built the Kingaroy community
Members of the Kingaroy Needs A Big Peanut committee and Kane Minogue cut the celebration cakeKingaroy Needs A Big Peanut Committee members, sculptor Kane Minogue and representatives from the corporate and in-kind sponsorsThe judges of the colouring-in competition with the five winnersThe statue’s plinth acknowledges the sponsors: G Crumpton and Sons …… and PCA, part of the Bega Cheese group of companies …… and the individual community members who donated cash on a GoFundMe page, or donated pieces of farm machinery, to make the statue a reality
