The Big Mozzie also known as Ossie the Mozzie a Hexam Grey mosquito has always been the symbol at Hexham Bowling Club and in 1994 the 3.5 metre- high Ossie was built at a cost of $17,200. Then Lord Mayor of Newcastle Cr John McNaughton officially unveiled Ossie on March 10, 1994.
Ossie has had some cosmetic surgery because of damage from the elements and other insects over the years and his first makeover was in 2004-05. He received a second makeover in 2008 and another nip and tuck in 2010.
When the Roads and Maritime Service ordered Ossie be moved back four metres for widening of the Pacific Highway, he received some animation including glowing green eyes, a new red belly and a neon nose.
Over the years, Ossie has gone from a Hexham Grey to a Hexham rainbow to brighten up the lives of all who visit the club and who pass by him.
A few weeks ago I posted a photo of Bob Skelton the Bush Poet and he has written a poem about the Hexham Grey mosquito. If anyone is interested here is a link.
This makes me laugh, I remember one of my very early trips to OZ and bringing home a keyring with an ozzie mozzie in it, they are huge compared to our mozzies.
Great capture lovely focus and colours, well spotted Babs, well you could hardly miss Ossie could you, had a few mozzie bits in my time, definitely don't want one from Ossie lol;)
@golftragic Thanks Marnie. The real Hexham grey's are huge too and Ossie the Mozzie here has been given a bit of a facelift over the years and I suspect that the red on him is supposed to be blood. I think the donor must have died.
@pcoulson Thanks Peter. Ossie is huge I agree and the real Hexham grey's are massive too. I have never seen such huge mozzies as they are anywhere else in Australia. If ever you go to Ash Island which is at Hexham you have to dip yourself in mozzie spray or you will get bitten alive.
