City of Armadale - History House > Records

MASCOT TORSO - FERGUS THE FROG COSTUME

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Overview

Large rounded torso shaped object made from purple synthetic mesh, foam and plastic tubing. Base joined in centre with two large holes, one on either side. Top has three holes, one on each side and one large in centre. Between these holes are two wide shoulder straps. Each shoulder strap has two black Velcro strips which join the front and back of the torso. Plastic tubing used internally around centre of the torso for shaping and is attached to foam via Velcro straps.

Historical information

In 2011 the Armadale Aquatic Centre underwent a renovation which included a total re-brand. Part of that re-brand was the creation of the mascot Fergus the Frog who was made by Character Creations in 2011 for just under $7000. The re-brand involved a major signage, advertising and branding campaign, all starring Fergus the Frog. Fergus the Frog made his first public appearance at Armadale Central on Thursday 13 October 2011. He also played an important role in the launch of the new Splash Town (Children zero depth water playground) at the Armadale Aquatic Centre on Sunday 11 December 2011. The character of Fergus the Frog was a 13 year old frog who was a junior lifeguard at the Armadale Aquatic Centre.
The costume was warn at a variety of City events including the campaign to improve Armadale Road in 2016. On the morning of June 6 2016 Fergus joined City Staff in waving signs campaigning for Federal funding to upgrade Armadale Road to fix congestion issues.
City of Armadale staff were often enlisted to wear the costume at COA events. They were only allowed to wear the costume for 20 minutes at a time before having a 40 minute rest to prevent them from over heating.
Entered in the History House Museum collection in June 2020, following the removal of the mascots at the centre following a major rebuild of the Armadale Aquatic Centre and its re-branding into the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-33-COA2020.10c

Item type

Costumes

Themes

Art and Design
People
Popular Culture
Social History

Material

Cotton

Foam

Inscriptions and markings

Makers name tag on back [CHARACTER CREATIONS] with cleaning instructions [SPOT CLEAN WITH SOAPY WATER RINSE AREA WITH FRESH WATER PAT DOWN FIRMLY WITH DRY CLOTH TO REMOVE EXCESS MOISTURE WIPE INSIDE WITH DISINFECTANT DO NOT BLEACH DO NOT TUMBLE DRY DO NOT IRON DRY IN SHADE DO NOT DRY CLEAN]

Keywords

City of Armadale

Character Creations

Armadale Aquatic Centre

ARMADALE Road

Statement of significance

MEDIUM

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Object’s condition or completeness

Rare or representative

Well provenanced