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Big Bull of Rockhampton
A Rockhampton big bull at 9 Gladstone Road, Allenstown (2012).

The Big Bulls are a set of seven large statues of bulls that decorate the city of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. The set is regarded as one of Australia's big things and is intended to reinforce Rockhampton's claim to being the Beef Capital of Australia. Initially there were two bull statues but over time others were added reaching a total of seven. Five of the bulls were created by sculptor Hugh Anderson.

Some residents also feel that the bull statues over-emphasise one aspect of the city and should be relocated to less prominent locations. However, there is strong public support for the retention of the bulls.

Locations

The first six bull statues are located near highways and major roads and were built to be realistic depictions of breeds of cattle raised in the area; the seventh was constructed as an art work for display at the Rockhampton Art Gallery. The bull statues are:

  • Brahman bull, at the Yeppen roundabout at Fairy Bower, the junction of the Bruce Highway and Capricorn Highway (23°24′52″S 150°29′51″E / 23.414329°S 150.497414°E / -23.414329; 150.497414 (Big Bulls (Brahman No. 1), Rockhampton)). The bull is on a plinth indicating 'Welcome to Rockhampton', and 'Farewell from Rockhampton'.
  • Santa Gertrudis bull, at Frank Forde Park on the northern side of the intersection of the Bruce Highway (also known as Gladstone Road) and Upper Dawson Road in Allenstown (23°24′27″S 150°30′02″E / 23.407593°S 150.500426°E / -23.407593; 150.500426 (Big Bulls (Santa Gertrudis), Rockhampton))
Plaque listing (53 donors). In recognition of the contribution Santa Gertrudis have made to the beef industry.  ::Arranged by Burnett Joyce. Opened by the mayor Ald. Jim Webber, 18 September 1985. 'Thanks to those who made it possible'
  • Romagnola bull at O'Shanesy Park on the north-eastern side of the intersection of the Bruce Highway (also known as Gladstone Road) and Jellicoe Street in Allenstown (23°24′28″S 150°30′04″E / 23.407657°S 150.501140°E / -23.407657; 150.501140 (Big Bulls (Romagnola), Rockhampton))
Plaque: Romagnola Breeders' Society Ltd. has given this statue of a romagnola bull to the City of Rockhampton to commemorate the World Romagnola Congress. Unveiled by His Worship the Mayor Councillor James McRae on 13th April 1997
  • Braford bull on the median strip on the Bruce Highway (also known as Gladstone Road) just north of the intersection with Stanley Street in Allenstown (23°23′21″S 150°30′25″E / 23.3892867°S 150.5068485°E / -23.3892867; 150.5068485 (Big Bulls (Braford), Rockhampton))
Plaque: Rockhampton. The Beef City. This sculpture financed by (29 donors). Dedicated by the Honourable V. B. Sullivan M.L.A., Minister for Primary Industries on 16th. November 1978
  • Droughtmaster bull on roundabout on Hunter Street in front of the Rockhampton Airport in West Rockhampton (23°22′44″S 150°28′47″E / 23.378917°S 150.479607°E / -23.378917; 150.479607 (Big Bulls (Droughtmaster), Rockhampton))
Plaque: 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 19th, 1994.
  • 'Under the Hammer' bull (art work) at the Rockhampton Art Gallery on 62 Victoria Parade in Rockhampton City beside the Fitzroy River (23°22′21″S 150°30′33″E / 23.372636°S 150.509126°E / -23.372636; 150.509126 (Big Bulls (Under the Hammer), Rockhampton))
  • Brahman bull on the median strip of the Bruce Highway (also known as Yaamba Road) on the boundary of Park Avenue and Norman Gardens (opposite #411; 23°20′35″S 150°31′14″E / 23.343126°S 150.520673°E / -23.343126; 150.520673 (Big Bulls (Brahman No. 2), Rockhampton))
Plaque: Rockhampton. The Beef City. This sculpture financed by (40 donors). Dedicated by the Honourable V. B. Sullivan M.L.A., Minister for Primary Industries on 16th. November 1978

Other bulls

Within Rockhampton, there are other bull statues, including:

  • Stockman's Corner clothing store, 9 Gladstone Road, Allenstown. A white bull is raised above the store awning;
  • 'Lease-A-Bull', 184 Musgrave Street, Berserker. A braford bull, on top of a building awning; and
  • Korte's Resort, 984 Yaamba Road, Parkhurst. The entrance to the motel has three beige bulls together.

Gallery

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