Caitlin Menadue, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Price is celebrating its bird wildlife through an interactive display, made possible by a Grassroots Grant from Landscapes SA Northern and Yorke.

Championed by the Price Progress Association and Yorke Peninsula locals, the interactive wingspan display is located near the playground and features large-scale local bird species.

It features an information panel with QR codes which lead to further information about the wildlife and local environment.

Price Progress Association committee member Kylie Correll said the idea came about several years ago during discussions around the opening of the Price Nature Park.

“We had bird survey volunteers visiting regularly to monitor the salt fields and record the incredible birdlife found throughout the area,” she said.

“Living in open spaces, we can sometimes take for granted seeing these birds in our own big backyard.”

The wingspan display encourages families to stop, play and start conversations about nature, creating a learning moment for children.

“We wanted children to be able to point at the birds and say, ‘I’ve seen that one’ or ‘look at that beak’,” Ms Correll said.

“Simple interactions like that can spark curiosity and turn into education and appreciation for the environment around us.

“Standing beside the birds gives you a real sense of scale and perspective, while spreading your own arms beside the display creates a fun social media photo opportunity as well.”

The display was erected in early May with the help of Price local Kym Rathael and Copy King’s Daniel and Tiahna Gregory.

Ms Correll said the public’s immediate reaction was “truly special”.

“Within an hour of installation, we had a visitor from Western Australia spreading his arms beside the display for a photo, followed shortly after by a lady from Victoria who asked us to take her picture as well,” she said.

“Seeing those smiles and hearing such positive feedback from tourists visiting our little town of Price was incredibly rewarding.”

The process

For over 12 months, the Progress Association has been refining the project while keeping the original vision alive.

Ms Correll said Ardrossan resident Zabia offered her time and skills to help submit the original project idea through several grant applications, which were unsuccessful.

“We really wanted to honour the work and effort she has already put into the project, so we continued refining the concept and applying for other funding opportunities,” she said.

The original grant proposal included a single free-standing sign but due to strong winds, it was soon decided that an existing wall should be utilised.

“One of the biggest parts of the process was actually sourcing the right photographs that could be enlarged clearly to the true size of each bird,” Ms Correll said.

“The original vision was always to use local wildlife photography wherever possible, rather than relying on generic paid image sites.”

Ms Correll said finding the right bird species in the correct pose, at the required image quality and with suitable colouring for large-scale printing took a huge amount of time and collaboration.

“Working closely with the graphic designer became a much bigger part of the project than originally anticipated, but when you are passionate about getting the facts correct and creating something truly special, the end results really show,” she said.

“We connected with Port Wakefield wildlife photographer Dave Wetherall, whose incredible photographs of the famous Coobowie osprey chicks in 2025 first caught my attention.

“Long-time friend and neighbouring farmer Julie Oster also contributed through her talent for local wildlife photography and artwork.

“We also networked with a BirdLife Photography judge of over 40 years. He allowed the use of his prize-winning pelican image with its wings fully outstretched.”

Guidance was also sought from Green Adelaide coast and seas team leader Tony Flaherty.

“The wingspan display also sits alongside a local wildlife and flora interpretation panel and a small pod native garden designed to encourage nectar-feeding birds and insects,” Ms Correll said.

“The overall vision was always to create a space where families can stop, interact, learn and appreciate the incredible natural environment we are fortunate to have here in Price and across Yorke Peninsula.”

Ms Correll encouraged people to come along and “spread your wings” at a free Nature Day school holiday event to be held in Price on September 30.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 16 June 2026.