The Big Kangaroo (Rooey II)

Towering high beside the Border Village Roadhouse, situated on the edge of the Nullarbor Plain is Rooey II. This large kangaroo sculpture is one of many 'Big Things', found around Australia as something of an unofficial national tradition. Rooey II sits in South Australia, only metres away from the Western Australia border. It holds a tub of Vegemite, a savoury spread popular with local Australians. 

In 1987, the sailing event the America's Cup was being held in Perth, and the owners of the roadhouse decided to build something to attract passers-by to stop to use their services. The sculpture was designed by Bill Metherel and local legend tells a story of the naming going to a competition, where the name Rooey was chosen. Unfortunately this name was already taken as the nickname of one of the roadhouse owners so the statue got the name Rooey II.