The story behind Rockhampton’s big bull statues and the thefts of the crown jewels
They’re an icon of the north but a great mystery surrounds the bull statues of CQ with one council going to great lengths to protect the family jewels of the Rocky gods. SEE THE TIKTOK
Rockhampton
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You don’t have to go to far in Rockhampton to find one of the town’s infamous bull statues - whether it be one of the big six, or on the building of a business.
But if you look at little closer at the big six you may notice something you don't’ see on a bull standing in a paddock.
After a few cheeky bandits stole the family jewels from the bull statues, Rockhampton Regional Council installed metal rods through the ballocks of every bull back in 2008-2009.
Rumour has it council has spent countless coin protecting the bulls with secret moulds held behind closed doors if council ever has to do it again.
There is also stories about paper mache cullions used over time, until eventually following years of remodelling the ingenious metal rod solution kept the bulls intact.
Many rumours went about town that the nut collectors were pranksters, drunken locals or backpackers looking for a unique souvenir from the Beef Capital.
But the moo-stery remains unsolved, with many a package never to be found again leaving it one of the town’s greatest cases of ‘moo-dunnit’.
The first bull statues, the Big Brahman on Northside and the Big Braford on Southside, were unveiled in 1978 and were the brainchild of former mayor Rex Pilbeam.
Already building the Fitzroy River Barrage and pulling together a “nationally significant” art collection, the bulls were another Pilbeam strategy to put Rockhampton on the map.
At the time of the opening Mr Pilbeam predicted the cheeky nature of people looking for a unique souvenir.
“I charge the citizens of Rockhampton, who have been given them absolutely free of charge, to cherish the gifts and to protect them against damage, actual or threatened, wilful or accidental,” he said at the time.
HONOUR THE BIG SIX
The Big Brahman (Yeppen roundabout)
Arguably Rockhampton’s most famous of the big six, the Big Brahman greets visitors and locals heading north and farewells those heading south.
The statue stands on a plinth that reads “Welcome to Rockhampton” and “Farewell from Rockhampton”.
The Big Brahman was erected in 2000 and is the biggest of all of Rockhampton’s bull statues.
The Big Santa Gertrudis
Continuing north, one of the next bull statues people driving through town will see is the Big Santa Gertrudis at Frank Forde Park, at the Gladstone Rd and Upper Dawson Rd intersection.
The statue was “opened” by former mayor Jim Webber in 1985.
The statue has a plaque listing 53 donors, with the statue itself representing the Santa Gertrudis breed’s contribution to the beef industry.
The Big Romagnola
The Big Romagnola stands tall on a plinth at O’Shanesy Park, right across the road from the Big Santa Gertrudis.
The statue was gifted to the city to commemorate the World Romagnola Congress which was held in Rockhampton during Beef Australia 1997.
It was unveiled by then Mayor Jim McRae.
The statue was quickly nicknamed ‘Polar Bear’ because of its misshapen head, which was fixed by a local sculptor.
The Big Braford
Heading further north through town the next big bull travellers will see is the Big Braford, which stands on the median strip on Gladstone Rd.
The statue was financed by 29 donors and dedicated to V.B Sullivan, the Minister for Primary Industries in 1978 when the statue was unveiled.
The statue was unveiled by Mr Sullivan and then Mayor Rex Pilbeam, and is made from concrete over a wire mesh frame, with an acrylic finish.
The Big Braford was built by Maroochydore ‘Big Thing’ sculptor Hugh Anderson, who built other iconic statues including the Big Cow which was originally at Yandina, the giant gold panner at Bathurst and the big soldier at Uralla.
The plinth the bull stands on proudly reads “Rockhampton, The Beef City” cementing the status of being the Beef Capital of Australia.
The Big Droughtmaster
Heading over the westside of town is a statue some locals may not necessarily see everyday.
The Big Droughtmaster stands at the roundabout at the entrance of Rockhampton Airport, with the statue being unveiled in 1994.
The plaque in front of the statue reads: Droughtmaster Stud Breeders’ Society Limited. Commemorates the production by the University of Central Queensland of this replica of the Droughtmaster, Australia’s own beef cattle breed evolved in Queensland, unveiled by Mr Stan Jones Q.C., The Chancellor of the University of Central Queensland, On Tuesday, April 19, 1994.
The Big Brahman (Northside)
The last of the big six statues is The Big Brahman on Rockhampton’s northside.
Also reading “Rockhampton. The Beef City”, the statue was financed by 40 donors dedicated to V.B Sullivan, the Minister for Primary Industries in 1978 when the statue was unveiled.
The statue was unveiled by Mr Sullivan and then Mayor Rex Pilbeam, and is made from concrete over a wire mesh frame, with an acrylic finish.
The Big Brahman was built by Maroochydore ‘Big Thing’ sculptor Hugh Anderson, who built other iconic statues including the Big Cow which was originally at Yandina, the giant gold panner at Bathurst and the big soldier at Uralla.
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