Words by Tehya Nicholas Images Supplied
We’ve seen The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, The Big Prawn in Ballina, and The Big Potato in Robertson. There’s The Big Gumboot in Tully, and The Big Easel in Emerald… And soon, Victoria’s favourite getaway town of Daylesford will be the home of another impressive landmark. Say hello to The Big Rainbow.
Designed with members of the LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities, The Big Rainbow is the first “big” landmark dedicated to regional LGBTQIA+ communities. It stands at a whopping six metres high and twelve metres wide; a beacon of inclusivity, diversity, and pride.
After counting 16,000 public votes, Daylesford was chosen ahead of three other shortlisted towns: Broome in Western Australia, Hay in New South Wales and Katherine in the Northern Territory to home the installation. It’s a fitting decision as Daylesford, the Traditional Land of the Dja Dja Wurrung people is known as the rainbow capital of regional Victoria.
“Daylesford is the home of the ChillOut Festival, the longest-running regional LGBTQIA+ festival in Australia, and home to many rainbow families. Council will soon initiate a period of community engagement to tap into the community’s local knowledge and perspectives about the best-suited location for the Big Rainbow which will celebrate our vibrant and inclusive community,” Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said.
The project has been initiated and funded by the online dating app Tinder Australia, who have also pledged $100,000 to community organisations working tirelessly for regional LGBTQIA+ representation, diversity and inclusion. The company will be announcing the full list of Australian organisations soon.
Tinder Australia director Kirsten Hardeman said they are “really looking forward to working closely with the passionate people of Daylesford to bring The Big Rainbow home over the coming months.”
“We are so grateful for the support that people across the country have shown us in voting for Daylesford to be the home of The Big Rainbow. We have a long history of supporting our LGBTIQA+ community and visitors to our town, and we hope that The Big Rainbow will be an example of what it means to show love and support to everyone,” Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said.
As the weather warms, and the new LGBTQIA+ festival Victoria’s Pride kicks into gear, it’s certain Daylesford will have a few extra visitors this summer. And a little bit more to celebrate.
THE DETAILS
WHAT: The Big Rainbow Project
WHERE: Daylesford, Victoria
WHEN: Summer 2022
MORE INFO: The Big Rainbow
We wish to acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
