Why bin chickens are the hottest thing in town

BIN chickens may not be welcome around the picnic bench, but when it comes to fashion, they’re about to become the latest hot ticket item in Ballina.

Following on from the popular prawn socks, the team at the Ballina Visitor Information Centre is stocking the shelves with the newest products to promote the town – ibis socks and earrings and a brand new prawn t-shirt.

Team leader of Visitor Services at Ballina Shire Council, Alanah Ward, said the t-shirt that pays homage to the Big Prawn had just arrived but was already flying off the shelves.

She said her team came up with the quirky idea to feature Ballina’s famous Big Prawn in their merchandising as a way of having something unique that locals would love as much as tourists.

“It’s our aim to have a bit of fun and a sense of community,” Alanah said.

“We thought ‘We need to tap into the ibis and bring in some of the fun elements of Ballina’.”

They say the ibis socks would make the perfect Father’s Day gift, “because nothing says ‘I love you, Dad’ like a pair of socks featuring Australia’s most misunderstood bird.”

As well as t-shirts and socks, the centre sells caps, ceramic mugs, and plush toys bearing the critters’ likeness.

The visitor centre is open Monday to Friday 9-5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10-2pm.