Herbie the Giant Yabbie has officially returned to Wentworth, taking up his new home at Strother Park near the Wentworth Pioneer Museum and Old Wentworth Gaol.
For long-time locals, Herbie isn’t exactly a new face. The giant crustacean was once a familiar Wentworth landmark, sitting opposite the Old Wentworth Gaol alongside a small aquarium before eventually disappearing from public view and spending a number of years on private property.
Now he’s back, restored, repainted and once again ready for locals and visitors to stop and grab that almost compulsory photo with one of Australia’s Big Things.
Giving Herbie Back to Wentworth
An important part of this story is how Herbie actually made it home.
A plaque at the new site acknowledges the late Councillor Steve Heywood, Jason Heywood and family, and Peter and Anne Kelly and family for giving Herbie back to the Wentworth community.
Without that gesture, there is every chance this piece of Wentworth history could have simply remained hidden away. Instead, Herbie has been returned to the town where he belongs.
From there, the project became a much bigger community effort.
A Community Bank Birthday Gift
Community Bank Wentworth & District played a major role in making Herbie’s comeback possible, partnering with Wentworth Shire Council to help fund the restoration as part of the Community Bank’s 25th birthday celebrations.
Rather than simply marking the milestone with a birthday cake and a few speeches, the project has left Wentworth with something the entire community can enjoy for years to come.
Putting Herbie Back Together
Restoring something the size of Herbie was never going to be a matter of simply giving him a quick coat of paint.
The giant sculpture had to be transported in sections before Ted O’Shannessy and his team of volunteers took on the painstaking job of putting him back together. Jason and Kylie from XCAV8 were also among those involved in getting the big fella back where he belonged.
Then came the artistic side of the restoration.
Local artist Leisa Cartwright, together with her helpers, took on the job of bringing Herbie’s character back to life. The restored colours, details and finishing touches have given the old yabby a completely new lease on life.
The Wentworth Shire Council garden team, led by Tim Snow, then finished the job by landscaping the surrounding area and creating a permanent setting for Herbie.
More Than Just a Big Yabbie
Australia loves its Big Things. We’ve got big bananas, big pineapples, big lobsters and just about everything else, so there’s no reason Wentworth shouldn’t have a giant yabby of its own.
But Herbie is a little different because he wasn’t simply built as a new tourist attraction. He already had a history here.
He was a local icon that disappeared, survived and has now been returned to the community through the generosity of local families and the efforts of the Community Bank, Wentworth Shire Council, artists, tradespeople, volunteers and plenty of others willing to lend a hand.
And judging by the turnout for his unveiling, Wentworth seems pretty happy to have him back.
Australia’s Newest Big Thing?
Whether Herbie qualifies as Australia’s newest Big Thing or perhaps its newest old Big Thing probably depends on how technical you want to get.
Either way, he’s back, he’s hard to miss and he gives visitors another reason to pull up and spend a bit of time exploring Wentworth.
So next time you’re across the river, call into Strother Park and say g’day to Herbie. One of Wentworth’s best-known old characters is officially back where he belongs.
Find Herbie in Wentworth
Herbie the Giant Yabbie
Strother Park, Wentworth NSW