Artwork puts Big Prawn on the map

A NEW cartoon illustration celebrating Ballina’s landmarks — including the Big Prawn — has been delivered to the council.

Jack Manion, who grew up in Ballina in the 1980s, has captured features such as bin chickens, fishing trawlers, humpback whales, the lighthouse, surf breaks and the Ballina waterslide in his colourful print.

After leaving the region to pursue a career in town planning, Manion found a passion for art during visits to see his parents, Pat and Kev Manion, who remained in Ballina. He regularly drew during afternoons and nights while visiting them at the nursing home until their deaths in 2023.

“I would visit mum and dad at the nursing home and draw during the afternoon and nights to keep my mind occupied,” he said.

“I have gifted the Ballina Map artwork (to council) for everything the community has done (for the family).”

Manion said his cartoon-architectural style developed through years of reviewing building plans as a town planner and from his love of aerial photography.

The print, the result of many hours of detailed work, is now on display in the foyer of the council’s administration building on Cherry Street.

A limited number of A2 prints are available for purchase at the Ballina Information Centre.