General News
29 July, 2026
Giant cassowary project on track
A GROUP of local artists will begin painting the Big Cassowary when it arrives in Kuranda in about two months and have been preparing the story that will decorate the sculpture.
The artists – Imogen O’Neil, Akasha Mead, Sheila Brim, Georg N. Riley, Ann-Marie Keating, and Rebecca Koller - held a recent workshop to outline the painting, which would take another six to eight weeks, according to Big Cassowary project member Jerg Jutzi.
“During this time, we will take photos and video clips to show the progress,” Mr Jutzi said.
The proposed four-metre high “Big Cassowary” gained momentum last year following the launch of a business sponsorship drive and public awareness campaign.
It was also backed by the Cassowary Art Trail, the Kuranda Conservation Community Nursery and the former Kuranda Trader Association, as well as having the blessing of the Mareeba Shire Council, which approved the site for the artwork at Centenary Park.
The artists’ contribution was supported by a $20,000 grant provided last December by the Regional Art Fund (RAF), which helped get the proposal over the line for an end-of-2026 completion time.
Mr Jutzi said the aim of the art would be to incorporate both the beauty of the rainforest region and to celebrate the important role the Southern Cassowary plays in maintaining the habitat.
The Big Cassowary would complement the Cassowary Art Trail (CAT), of which Mr Jutzi was project founder and director.
Launched in 2022, it has created seven life-sized cassowaries, each painted with unique designs by local artists, and placed in locations in Kuranda, Port Douglas, Wangetti and Palmerston.
“As you can see everything is on the way, but it also takes time,” Mr Jutzi said.
