Hundreds of adults and children were in awe when a six-metre tall doll-like puppet walked through Wollongong's Crown Street Mall on Thursday night.
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The puppet, Marri Dyin (meaning "Great Woman" in Eora language) has been a spectacle at the Vivid Sydney festival this year and last.
Wollongong is the city she has visited outside of Sydney.
Marri is the creation of Erth Visual and Physical, who has visited the region previously with their life-like dinosaurs.
Children Darby and Deedee Catto-Pitkin were not scared of the giant doll but rather thought she was "beautiful".
"I like how she is colourful, that she lights up and I like her hair," Deedee said. "She doesn't look freaky at all. She is pretty and I like how she can move."
Puppeteers help Marri to move as they operate a purpose-built mobile crane which also houses the power for the lights, sound and air to keep her inflated.
The puppeteers co-ordinate to move her legs, arms and head.
Marri's presence is a symbol of people coming together on Aboriginal land. Each evening she will perform and move through the landscape, inviting children to sit with her and share their hopes and dreams for the future.
Jessica Millman said she was excited to see the doll in real life after looking at it in pictures.
She brought her the almost-five year old daughter Grace to see Marri as an early birthday present.
Grace was unsure whether she liked the puppet but kept her eyes fixed to the doll as she entered the central stage area and was greeted by a smoking ceremony.
Marri Dyin is the centrepiece for Nights on Crown event, which will also include a lineup of musicians, DJs and performers scattered through the mall from 6pm until Saturday.
Some of the performers include: Emma Saunders, Buggy Bumpers, DJ Sir Robbo, Circus Wow, Dream Dog, Emma Donovan, Jaala, Shoeb Ahmad, Tees and Tralala Blip, plus more.
On Friday and Saturday nights, everyone is invited to dance like no one is watching at the colourful outdoor dancefloor with dance performances from Buggy Bumpers and DJ Sir Robbo.
For more information on Nights On Crown: Luminous Land visit: www.wollongongcitycentre.com.au
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