Calling all creatives out there – this is your time to shine!
Spencer, the Whyalla City Council’s iconic Cuttlefish mascot, has sadly hung up his boots and called it a day. Country Arts SA have reported that the beloved community token – known as the figurehead for children’s events and school visits – has gone into retirement.
No need to get teary eyed, because this is where you come in. The council is interested in hearing from artists and designers to help design a brand new mascot.
The design needs to be easy to wear, durable, versatile, and appropriate for all mascot duties including community events and school visits. Think, who would you like to see as the face of your community? What embodies the spirit of Whyalla? That’s what they’re after.
And while it doesn’t have to be a cuttlefish, there’s no denying the cultural weight Spencer carried.
Whyalla just so happens to be the only place in the world where cuttlefish migrate to annually in such large numbers. Each year, the species flock to SA’s Spencer Gulf to breed due to the region’s waters being the perfect place for female’s to lay their eggs. Their spectacular coat of colours – as seen on Spencer – is all to show off and lure a mate for breeding. No wonder he’s ready to slow down, he has other fish to fry.
This doesn’t mean your mascot designs have to be exclusively cuttlefish, but drawing from the regions rich culture is a great place to get your creative juices flowing.
Whyalla atrracts an abundance of wildlife. More than 20 species of reptiles and 80 species of birds have been recorded in the Whyalla Conservation Park including the Western Brown Snake, Bearded Dragon, Western Bluetongue, Sleepy Lizard, Wedge-tailed Eagles and Australian Kestrels, just to name a few.
If you’re lucky enough, you might even spot a wild pod of resident dolphins playing or feeding somewhere in the Whyalla Marina or along the coast at Point Lowly.
You can learn more about the rich and diverse wildlife in region on their website below.
If this mascot call-out piqued your interest, reach out to Teresa Coles, Arts and Cultural Facilitator, by the end of April to chat more about this amazing opportunity. We can’t wait to see the new face of Whyalla, but there’s undoubtably some pretty big shoes to fill, no pressure.
WHAT: Whyalla City Council new mascot design
For expressions of interest: Teresa 0439 903 463 or [email protected]
For Whyalla wildlife, click here.
