Dandy Pig
(Sign Currently in Storage)
Cleeland Street, Dandenong, 3175.
The "Dandy Pig" (sometimes known affectionately as "Mr. Pig") is an iconic neon sign in the outer Melbourne suburb of Dandenong.
The Dandy Pig sign was originally manufactured for the Dandy Ham & Bacon Company, who had a prominent shop on Lonsdale Street in Dandenong until the late 1980's. Mr. Pig was clearly visible as people entered the town from the Princess Highway, and it is for this reason that the sign is cherished by locals as a symbol of Dandenong.
The Dandy Pig animated neon sign features an anthropomorphised pig, dressed in top hat and tails. A series of neon sequences results in the pig lifting his top hat whilst standing proudly upright. Mr. Pig was actually part of a much larger sign, which has since been dismantled.
When the shop closed, the sign was removed but was purchased by the City of Greater Dandenong and placed on display in 1996, following an active campaign by residents. The sign stood outside the Dandenong Market until 2008 when it was removed to make way for the market's redevelopment.
Neither the manufacturer nor the precise age of the sign are known. Some media have reported that this is "Victoria's oldest animated neon sign" (see Yates 2008), and Wixted et al. (2008) dates the sign back to the 1950's.
The City of Greater Dandenong are currently holding Mr. Pig in storage whilst a new prominant location is found for the icon. Council plan to have the sign back on display by April 2011.
The sign is not heritage-listed.
Cleeland Street, Dandenong, 3175.
Photos
Description
The "Dandy Pig" (sometimes known affectionately as "Mr. Pig") is an iconic neon sign in the outer Melbourne suburb of Dandenong.
The Dandy Pig sign was originally manufactured for the Dandy Ham & Bacon Company, who had a prominent shop on Lonsdale Street in Dandenong until the late 1980's. Mr. Pig was clearly visible as people entered the town from the Princess Highway, and it is for this reason that the sign is cherished by locals as a symbol of Dandenong.
The Dandy Pig animated neon sign features an anthropomorphised pig, dressed in top hat and tails. A series of neon sequences results in the pig lifting his top hat whilst standing proudly upright. Mr. Pig was actually part of a much larger sign, which has since been dismantled.
When the shop closed, the sign was removed but was purchased by the City of Greater Dandenong and placed on display in 1996, following an active campaign by residents. The sign stood outside the Dandenong Market until 2008 when it was removed to make way for the market's redevelopment.
Neither the manufacturer nor the precise age of the sign are known. Some media have reported that this is "Victoria's oldest animated neon sign" (see Yates 2008), and Wixted et al. (2008) dates the sign back to the 1950's.
The City of Greater Dandenong are currently holding Mr. Pig in storage whilst a new prominant location is found for the icon. Council plan to have the sign back on display by April 2011.
The sign is not heritage-listed.
Further Information
- Wixted, D., Zahra, S. & Reeves, S. (2008)
Survey of Post-War Built Heritage in Victoria: Stage
One. Report for Heritage Victoria, p.227.
- Yates, K. (2008) Insults fly over Mr Pig, Dandenong Star, 21 February.
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Page created: 12 November 2005. Last updated 18 September 2010
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