Hervey Bay Library & Admin Building Inc Disaster Resilience Centre

Hervey Bay’s tallest crane has been named HERCULES following a fun and creative naming and colouring competition for local primary school students and kindy kids.

Fraser Coast Regional Council and Hansen Yuncken sought naming suggestions for the 45-metre-tall crane recently installed to help build the five-storey Hervey Bay Community Hub on Main Street.

Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott said there were nearly 100 entries into the naming and colouring-in competition.

“It was wonderful to see so many entries from community-minded children across the region, with a variety of interesting and entertaining suggestions,” he said.

“In total, we have given out ten prizes, which were decided on by a panel of judges made up of Hansen Yuncken, Council, and the Hinkler Regional Deal Community Consultation Group.”

Hansen Yuncken Project Manager and Hervey Bay local Rod Derbyshire said the crane will be part of the Hervey Bay skyline for more than a year, so we wanted a name that represents its size and strength.

“A big congratulations to ten-year-old Caden Toole for coming up with the winning name,” he said.

“Hercules, the Greek hero known for his extraordinary strength and bravery, seemed the perfect name for our powerful crane.”

Name the Crane Winners and Runners Up include:

Name the Crane Winner: Caden Toole (Prize - Turtle Discovery Eco Tour Valued at $330)

Name the Crane Runner Up: Lika Knoester (Prize -Susan River Homestead Horse Riding Experience Valued at $125)

Colouring In Competition (Under School Age) – Stella Ricciardi (Winner) and Paige Reilly (Runner Up)

Colouring In Competition (Prep & Year 1) – Abigail Page (Winner) and Maverick Nickson (Runner Up)

Colouring In Competition (Yrs 2 & 3) – Selina Boully (Winner) and Ava Dekker (Runner Up)

Colouring In Competition (Yrs 4 – 6) – Olivia Crompton (Winner) and Emilia (Runner Up)

All colouring-in winners received a $100 Fraser Coast Buy Local Gift Card, while all runners-up were awarded a $50 Fraser Coast Buy Local Gift Card.

Cr Truscott would like to thank all the students who took the time to think of a name and to also submit colouring-ins of the crane.

“The crane is an important part of building the new Hervey Bay Community Hub which will include an expanded library over two levels, a Council administration centre, a new public plaza, and flexible spaces that could be booked for meetings or events day and night,” he said.

“More than three-quarters of this development will be community space with the new hub to be the community’s one-stop spot for learning, socialising and accessing Council services.

“All the entries will be on display at the Hervey Bay Library and you’ll be able to see Hercules working away on the construction site over the next year.”

The Hervey Bay Community Hub is due to be completed by mid-2026, weather permitting.

More details about the Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre project is available on Council’s Engagement Hub website at: https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/hervey-bay-library-administration-centre-inc-disaster-resilience-centre