The final Big Trout paintwork has the approval of the local community. (ABC South East NSW: Floss Adams)
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In short: The iconic Big trout in the Snowy Mountains was restored in December last year, but the paintwork was met with community backlash.
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The Snowy Monaro Regional Council held multiple polls to ask residents what they would like to see as an alternative finish.
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The community voted for the original 1970s look and the final job is now complete.
One of Australia's beloved "big things" has had its second makeover in six months, after the first was deemed "hideous" by the community and sparked an outcry.
The final paint job of the Big Trout at Adaminaby, in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains, is officially complete and appears to have the support of those who took issue with it's previous revamp.
In December last year, the Snowy Mountains monument celebrated its 50th anniversary with a fresh lick of paint.
But the new look did not appeal to the trout-fishing-obsessed region and was met with emphatic community outcry.
The key concern of the residents was that the new artwork colours were too stark and abrupt.
The Big Trout's bright and stark revamp six months ago sparked a community outcry. (ABC South East NSW: Floss Adams)
Comments on social media branded the dark grey, bright pink and stark white paint job as "hideous" and "disgusting".
The backlash prompted the Snowy Monaro Regional Council to conduct multiple surveys on how the community wished to see the 10-metre statue immortalised.
More than 2,600 people voted in the final poll — eight times more people than the entire population of Adaminaby, which has about 300 residents.
The resounding response was a request to return the Big Trout to its original 1973 look, with more realistic colourings of speckled grey, soft pink, and muted white for the fish's belly.
The original Andy Lomnici Big Trout installation in the 1970s. (ABC South East NSW: Floss Adams)
Snowy Monaro Mayor Chris Hanna said the council rarely saw more than 100 submissions on matters such as the yearly budget.
"It just shows people are very passionate and they wanted to see it changed," Mr Hanna Said.
"I've had two fishermen say that they refused to drive past Adaminaby due to the fact they could not bear to see the Big Trout looking like it did [after the December makeover]."
'At least it looked fresh and bright'
The iconic landmark was conceptualised by the late Leigh Stewart and brought to life by Hungarian artist Andrew Lomnici.
Mr Stewart's daughter, Pam Duncan, was initially surprised to find there was such a "hullabaloo" following its restoration late last year.
Snowy Mountains resident Pam Duncan is pleased to see the original trout design honoured. (ABC South East NSW: Floss Adams)
"At least it looked fresh and bright, that's what I like to look at it as — I know the trouble the council has gone to, to do this and we're very grateful to them," Snowy Mountains resident, Ms Duncan said.
"The [now] original colours I think are a wonderful tribute to Andy, most importantly, and to dad."
Leigh Stewart conceptualised the Big Trout in 1969 prior to Andy Lomnici's finishing touches. (ABC South East NSW: Floss Adams)
Same company, different artists
The council employed International Conservation Services (ICS) for the second time in six months to restore the structure to its 1970s lustre, but used a different artist.
The company is prolific in restoring historical items such as the Old Parliament House front doors, the original Sydney Harbour Bridge cranes, and the Belconnen Owl in Canberra.
Andrew Lomnici with the original Big Trout. (Supplied: Helen Miller)
ICS head of museum Doug Rogan said the Big Trout was always going to be a "challenging" project.
"It's very nice to finish a project and have everyone happy and loving what's been done," he said.
How much the restoration cost in total is still being finalised between the conservators and the Snowy Monaro Regional Council.
The first Big Trout restoration was completed in December, in time for its 50th anniversary. (ABC South East NSW: Floss Adams)
All fun and games until someone messes with a big thing
The Big Trout has staked its place in the hearts of many, including members of the New South Wales government — it's one of the few 'big things' that serve as drawcards for small towns across regional Australia to have been heritage listed.
More than a year ago, the state government made its importance clear by granting the shire $318,000 to restore and maintain the monument.
This exclusive status is why 'big things' expert Amy Clarke believes the trout has created such passionate community uproar.
"The controversy is people reacting to a genuine effort to look after the trout, that's gone wrong," the University of the Sunshine Coast senior lecturer in history said.
"Australians unapologetically love big things.
"They want to make sure they're done right and when that doesn't happen, it's straight into the national headlines."
Amy Clarke says these "big things" break up monotonous long drives. (Supplied: Amy Clarke)
Big lessons learnt from big things
The Big Rocking Horse in the Adelaide Hills. (Supplied)
Mell Penno bought the Big Rocking Horse, located in the Adelaide Hills, almost a year ago and watched the controversy of the Big Trout with interest.
It had been 42 years since the 18-metre-tall children's toy statue had a paint job, and the controversy in Adaminaby prompted Ms Penno to ask her community what they would like to see happen to the rocking horse.
"You do want to get it right and you do want the community to be happy with what they see every day," she said.
"They support those big things, they're in the local area and understand it more than anyone."
