Latest news with #giantpear
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bizarre giant pear proposal for Aussie town
Amid the success of Australia's 'big things', such as the Big Banana and the Big Pineapple, a Victorian town is now advocating to build the biggest pear on Earth. The city of Shepparton has a proposal for a three-storey pear in the heart of the Goulburn Valley, led by The Steering Group. Rocky Varapodio, a spokesman for the group, said these sorts of attractions can 'really highlight' regional towns. 'We've been doing a lot of work on this and the background of it is that the fruit industry has really over the years talked about having a structure in the region that really symbolises and recognises fruit growing in the area,' he told Triple M. Mr Varapodio said the giant pear was about 'telling a story' about the region. 'We think the time is probably right now to recognise this industry that's given so much to this region,' he said. The Goulburn Valley is well known for its pears, with 90% of the fruit sold across the country coming from the region. Mr Varapodio explained that potentially $2 million could be generated back into the economy, from the giant pear. However, early estimates have suggested the project could cost $1.3 million, with the steering group seeking government, council and stakeholder support to fund the idea. 'The next phase is to get a structural design done because we want it to be done properly and tastefully, we want it to be a whole interactive experience when you walk into it with some really good technology such as touch screens and displays that really tell a story about this industry that's been so solid for this region,' Mr Varapodio said. 'It's hard to put a time frame on it but we would really like this to happen over the next few years.'
News.com.au
03-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Shepperton could build a giant pear in new tourism bid
Amid the success of Australia's 'big things', such as the Big Banana and the Big Pineapple, a Victorian town is now advocating to build the biggest pear on Earth. The city of Shepparton has a proposal for a three-storey pear in the heart of the Goulburn Valley, led by The Steering Group. Rocky Varapodio, a spokesman for the group, said these sorts of attractions can 'really highlight' regional towns. 'We've been doing a lot of work on this and the background of it is that the fruit industry has really over the years talked about having a structure in the region that really symbolises and recognises fruit growing in the area,' he told Triple M. Mr Varapodio said the giant pear was about 'telling a story' about the region. 'We think the time is probably right now to recognise this industry that's given so much to this region,' he said. The Goulburn Valley is well known for its pears, with 90% of the fruit sold across the country coming from the region. Mr Varapodio explained that potentially $2 million could be generated back into the economy, from the giant pear. However, early estimates have suggested the project could cost $1.3 million, with the steering group seeking government, council and stakeholder support to fund the idea. 'The next phase is to get a structural design done because we want it to be done properly and tastefully, we want it to be a whole interactive experience when you walk into it with some really good technology such as touch screens and displays that really tell a story about this industry that's been so solid for this region,' Mr Varapodio said. 'It's hard to put a time frame on it but we would really like this to happen over the next few years.'
ABC News
24-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Shepparton business leaders propose $1.3 million giant pear landmark
Victoria's Goulburn Valley is known as the food bowl of Australia, but it could soon be known as the home of the giant pear. A group of business leaders is advocating for a three-storey-high giant pear to be built in Shepparton to celebrate the region's proud horticultural history. Steering group chairperson and former fruit grower Rocky Varapodio said the giant pear would recognise the industry that helped shape the area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. With 90 per cent of Australia's pears grown in the Goulburn Valley, the fruit was an obvious choice. Early estimates suggest the project could cost $1.3 million, and the group is seeking government and stakeholder support to bring the idea to life. "It's really in the preliminary design phase," Mr Varapodio said. A report commissioned by the group suggests the landmark could attract thousands of visitors and could potentially inject more than $2 million into the local economy annually. "The response has been great. People we've pitched the idea to really can see the benefit of telling this story through an attraction," Mr Varapodio said. Australia's iconic "big things" play a meaningful role in tourism, according to Lauren Douglass, chief executive of Australian Regional Tourism. "When they reflect something truly unique or significant about a place, like Shepparton's proud history as Australia's pear capital, they become powerful tools for destination branding and storytelling," Ms Douglass said. She said a big pear could not only help celebrate the region's agricultural legacy, but also offer a playful, memorable experience for visitors. "These types of attractions tend to do well because they're accessible, shareable, and provide a unique photo opportunity that ties directly into the local story." Coffs Harbour's Big Banana is one of the country's most famous big things. But Michael Lockman, chief executive and company secretary of The Big Banana Group, said it was more than just a quirky roadside stop. "This steady influx of visitors has contributed to the local economy by creating jobs and supporting surrounding businesses such as cafes, hotels, and shops." Mr Lockman said the icon had become a symbol of regional identity and pride, putting the region on the national map.
