Big Bulls
{{for|the single bull in New South Wales|Big Bull}}
{{distinguish|text=the AC/DC song Big Balls}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
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File:AU-Q-Rock-BigBull-Brahman-Welcome.jpg
The Big Bulls are a set of seven large statues of bulls that decorate the city of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockhamptonartgallery.com.au/Programs/Archived_programs/Wheres_The_Beef|title=Where's the Beef?|website=Rockhampton Art Gallery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805085731/http://www.rockhamptonartgallery.com.au/Programs/Archived_programs/Wheres_The_Beef|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=5 August 2017}} 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.{{cite book | last = Clark | first = David | year = 2004 | title = Big Things: Australia's Amazing Roadside Attractions | publisher = Penguin Books | isbn = 0-14-300200-7|pages=10–13 }}{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-17/beef-capital-fight/5397492|title=An ownership row has erupted over who holds Australia's Beef Capital title|last1=Robinson|first1=Paul|date=17 April 2014|work=ABC News|access-date=5 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805092025/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-17/beef-capital-fight/5397492|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=live|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|last2=Farrow-Smith|first2=Elloise|last3=Saunders|first3=Miranda}} 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.Clark, Big Things, p. 10-13.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockhamptonartgallery.com.au/Programs/Archived_programs/Wheres_The_Beef|title=Where's the Beef?|website=Rockhampton Art Gallery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805085731/http://www.rockhamptonartgallery.com.au/Programs/Archived_programs/Wheres_The_Beef|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=5 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}
The theft of the testicles from the bulls is a common prank and they frequently have to be replaced.{{cite news|last1=Hatzakis|first1=Maria|title=Oh balls: vandals target Rocky bulls|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-04-22/oh-balls-vandals-target-rocky-bulls/406934|access-date=10 March 2018|agency=Australian Broadcasting Commission|work=ABC News|date=22 April 2010}} Some residents also feel that the bull statues overemphasise 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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-18/tourism-group-rears-up-over-rockhampton-bull-statues/5098872|title=Tourism group rears up over Rockhampton bull statues|last=Whop|first=Marlina|date=20 November 2013|work=ABC News|access-date=6 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806002118/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-18/tourism-group-rears-up-over-rockhampton-bull-statues/5098872|archive-date=6 August 2017|url-status=live}}
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:
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Breed !Location !Notes !Photo |
| Brahman
|Yeppen roundabout at Fairy Bower, the junction of the Bruce Highway and Capricorn Highway ({{Coord |
| 23.414329|150.497414|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Big Bulls (Brahman No. 1), Rockhampton}})
|The bull is on a plinth indicating 'Welcome to Rockhampton', and 'Farewell from Rockhampton'. |
| Santa Gertrudis
|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 ({{Coord |
| 23.407593|150.500426|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=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
|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 ({{Coord |
| 23.407657|150.501140|9=type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=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 13 April 1997 |
| Braford
|Median strip on the Bruce Highway (also known as Gladstone Road) just north of the intersection with Stanley Street in Allenstown ({{Coord |
| 23.3892867|150.5068485|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=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
|roundabout on Hunter Street in front of the Rockhampton Airport in West Rockhampton ({{Coord |
| 23.378917|150.479607|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=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 19, 1994. |
| Brahman
|Median strip of the Bruce Highway (also known as Yaamba Road) on the boundary of Park Avenue and Norman Gardens (opposite #411; {{Coord |
| 23.343126|150.520673|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=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 |
| Art work
|At the entrance to Rockhampton Art Gallery, 62 Victoria Parade in Rockhampton City beside the Fitzroy River ({{Coord |
| 23.372636|150.509126|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Big Bulls (Under the Hammer), Rockhampton}})
|'Under the Hammer', a sculpture by Daniel Clemmett made from car bonnet skins in 2011{{Cite web |title=Rockhampton Bull Map: Where's the Beef? |date=11 December 2020 |url=https://issuu.com/rockhamptonregionalcouncil/docs/rockhampton_bull_map |access-date=16 August 2022 |publisher=Issuu |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816084408/https://issuu.com/rockhamptonregionalcouncil/docs/rockhampton_bull_map |url-status=live }} | |
Other bulls
File:Big Bull of Rockhampton.jpg
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;
- The Lionleigh Pub, 1 Wandal Road, Wandal. A brown bull stands atop the awning of the pub;
- '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.
Proposed bulls
In 2021, the Belmont Red Breed Society bemoaned the fact their breed was not yet represented in the series of statues despite it having been developed at the Belmont Research Station near Rockhampton.{{cite news|last=Harden|first=Ben|date=26 September 2021|title=Belmont Red statue would be "long time coming" for Rockhampton says breed society|url=https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/7439745/calls-for-a-belmont-red-statue-in-beef-capital|work=Queensland Country Life|publisher=Australian Community Media|location=|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=16 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816085154/https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/7439745/calls-for-a-belmont-red-statue-in-beef-capital/|url-status=live}} President of the Belmont Red Breed Society, Jeanne Seifert said a statue of a Belmont Red bull would not only be a good focal point for visitors to the city but also a tribute to the contribution which had been made by scientists and the CSIRO. Her father, Dr George Seifert, was a principal research scientist based at the Belmont Research Station, credited with helping develop the composition of the breed.