Robertson in NSW can claim to have the largest 'Big Potato' but, unfortunately it has recently been awarded the prize for Australia's Worst Big Thing as well. In Tasmania, for forty years, we too have had a big potato. It is modelled on the Kennebec potato which grows well in the red soil of Tasmania's North-West coast. Locals call the model spud Kenny.
The potato was built by farmer Rick Rockcliff as an advertising gimmick in the 1980s. It stood, mounted on a pole, near the gate of his farm. This week, in the high winds we are having, it blew down. Normally, the media would have ignored the story but Mr Rockliff's son happens to be Tasmania's premier and there is a photograph of young Jeremy standing at the farm gate selling the family's produce in the shadow of the big tuber.
With all the bad news clamouring for air time it's great to see that local reporters still understand what 'local news' means. You'll be pleased, also, to hear that Mr Rockcliff has promised that Kenny will be re-erected and take his place among Tasmania's more quirky attractions.
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