For 25 years a big friendly giant has kept watch over the Gilgai Public School grounds, standing patiently as children climbed all over his long neck and tail.
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Known simply as the school dinosaur, the fibreglass sculpture is due for significant repairs, and the whole community is invited to help by attending Gilgai Public’s spring fete this Saturday, October 20.
“He was there when I was there - we used him for parades and things - and he’s part of the fixture of the playground,” Tessa Monckton said.
“The kids love him.”
Originally made by Danny Marsh for the 1994 Sapphire City Festival, students helped paint the huge creature green before joining him on a float dressed in their best Flintstones costumes. He then took up residence in the school grounds, where he has stayed ever since.
Although he’s had minor maintenance over the years, the school is keen to give the creature a big overhaul, re-fibreglassing him to stay strong for the next 10-20 years.
“The kids jump all over him,” P&C president Angela Ellis said. She doubted there were many schools who had something quite so unique on their grounds.
With a gallery of children’s artwork, several delicious cake stalls and games, Angela encouraged locals to give the dino a longer life by coming along to the spring fete.
A local tradition, the fete will be packed with family activities, including tombola, face painting, a jumping castle and a monster raffle to be drawn during the Grandparents Day celebrations. A barbecue will be available along with several other foods.
“It’s going to be a big day for all the kids,” Angela said. She said that as one of the few school fetes remaining, the event has always proved popular with the community.
The Northern Roads Activity van will attend, taking enrolments for next year, and the school will also discuss their kindergarten enrolments.
The Spring Fete will run from 10am to 2pm at Gilgai Public School, Woodford Close, Gilgai on Saturday, October 20.