THERE was something fishy going on in Wodonga yesterday.
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The giant steel yellow-tailed snapper that represented Jamaica in the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was partially unveiled at the Wodonga TAFE National Industrial Skills Training Centre yesterday.
Shrouded in secrecy, the enormous fish was covered by an emerald green cloth with only its tail exposed for curious eyes.
The exotic fish will be touched up by metal work and fabrication students at the training centre before it is officially launched within a month.
Wodonga Mayor Lisa Mahood said after the sea creature receives its make-over, it will be permanently suspended in the aquatics hall of the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre.
“The people of Wodonga really embraced the Commonwealth Games and with all our celebrations we developed a unique bond with our sister-country Jamaica,” she said.
Fishing for the 8m by 3m catch hasn’t been without its hassles.
The council had to bid for the mammoth artwork through a tender process and drag the giant fish all the way from Melbourne along the Hume Highway.
With a semi-trailer and prime mover the sea creature finally made its way to the TAFE warehouse on Thursday.
Wodonga TAFE manufacturing and design department manager Kevin Wyatt said his students were looking forward to glamming up the sea creature.
“It’s good for them to practise their fabrication, welding and design skills on such a unique artwork,” he said.
“They’re excited about working on something that the community will be able to admire and appreciate.”
Cr Mahood said the sea creature, which is without a gender and a name, had inspired the council’s “We don’t want our fish called Wanda” competition.
“We’re leaving it up to the people of Wodonga to name this fish,” she said.