‘Mr Yakkerboo and Blue’ is the name given to this eye-catching and somewhat unusual sculpture introduced to the main street of Pakenham, Victoria in April 2017. The sculpture was designed by Julie Squires, an Australian sculptor from Newcastle who has been commissioned to create many iconic pieces of public art across the country. 

Mr. Yakkerboo is a mythical bunyip creature who has been becoming something of a local legend in this suburb of Melbourne. His name is derived from yakkerboo, a word of Aboriginal origin meaning “greener pastures.” His mythical presence is celebrated each year in Pakenham at the Yakkerboo festival, a local parade and community festival which has been held every year since 1976. The character has captured the hearts and imagination of the local people for over 40 years and this work of Squires allows those who visit Pakenham to see his presence all year round. 

The project took six months to complete and was done with the help of the local schoolchildren from the Cardinia Shire Council area. The artist gathered inspiration and ideas from six schools in the local district, before putting the ideas into action and creating the bronze sculpture.

Mr. Yakkerboo is joined by an Australian Cattle Dog named Blue. This breed of dog was chosen by the artist due to its historic use in the agriculture and farming of the area.