A sketch of the Big Pear concept. Image: Bruce Mactier Building Designers.
Coffs Harbour has its Big Banana, the Sunshine Coast has its Big Pineapple — should Shepparton have its own Big Pear?
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A group of leading Goulburn Valley business people want to harness the region’s reputation for fruit growing and steer it into a three-storey-high icon to welcome visitors.
The heart of the idea is an interpretive centre inside the giant pear, setting out the history of horticulture.
Shepparton Big Pear Steering Group chairman and former fruit grower, Rocky Varapodio, wants to see the concept turn into reality.
“It’s not just about pears, but we did settle on the pear concept because we are a region that is ideal for pear growing, and where 90 per cent of Australia’s pears come from,” he said.
“There is no other growing region that can grow a pear with the skin, finish and flavours that we can grow in the Goulburn Valley.
“And it’s time Shepparton had the Big Pear.”
Mr Varapodio also said the horticultural story associated with Shepparton needed to be told.
“We want to tell the story of its importance to the region and its connection to the story of migration,” he said.
“Many families who moved to this region gravitated to horticulture, and in time made substantial contributions to the community. This is a story with many facets.”
Annie Willis, a great-granddaughter of an orchardist, has spent the better part of two years developing the idea.
Mr Varapodio said the steering group had looked at a number of prospective locations and had come up with the preferred site at Emerald Bank on the southern entrance to the city.
Emerald Bank’s founder and developer, Lloyd Mawson, is supporting the idea.
Mr Varapodio said there was already some backing from among the community but the steering group was looking to build on that support.
“We are getting some really good feedback,” he said.
Rocky Varapodio and a steering group have grand plans for a grand pear.
Preliminary estimates put the cost of the structure at about $1.3 million.
“We will be looking at all levels of government, industry stakeholders and the community to fund the project,” Mr Varapodio said.
“We have been talking to the local council seeking their support both conceptually and financially.”
The steering group commissioned a consultant’s report from Urban Enterprise, which found that the big pear would support an increase in length of stays for visitors and provide a unique visitor experience and links to an existing tourism precinct.
The report estimated thousands of projected visitors and a potential annual economic output of more than $2 million.
The associated cafe and gift shop would be run commercially.
The Shepparton Big Pear Steering Group includes Rocky Varapodio, Andrew Prentice, Shane Hall, Lloyd Mawson, Jim Andreadis, Annie Willis, Paul Willis and Kathy Fuller.
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