Now, Orange could join the ranks of Australian cities with its own big thing - a big Akubra.

Although it might not be on the same scale, Cr Chris Gryllis is proposing a five-metre high pergola modelled on the style of Akubra hat named after Banjo Paterson as the perfect way to commemorate the 150th birthday celebrations for Orange’s famous poet in February.

Councillors agreed to allocate $10,000, at Tuesday’s meeting to develop designs for the $150,000 pergola to go in front of the Emmaville cottage when it is relocated from the Waratahs Sportsground to near the Adventure Playground.

As well as offering shade for visitors Cr Gryllis believes the pergola will become a tourist attraction in its own right.

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“It’s one of the most well patronised facilities in Orange and this will increase the patronage,” he said.

“Originally I started this six or seven years ago and the idea was to have a big Akubra like the Big Banana and the Big Pineapple ... we’re not going for something that big but something in relation to the cottage.”

Mayor John Davis said it was “very appropriate” to celebrate Paterson with an Akubra and all councillors supported the idea.

“The idea is to make people very aware of what history is about in Orange,” he said.

“It will add to the hut [cottage], it will add to the Adventure Playground and the Botanic Gardens. It will be a whole package.”

Cr Davis said the “phenomenally busy” bypass location would also help increase visitors. 

“The amount of traffic is about 5000 cars a day,” he said.

Cr Gryllis said a private company may want to sponsor the pergola.

“You can never do enough to look after our history,” he said.

The council will also look to install signage at the entrances to the city, at either end of the Northern Distributor Road and the airport to recognise Orange as Paterson’s birthplace.

clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au

READ MORE: Councillor Reg Kidd slams Gryllis’ big Akubra idea