A Swine of Sumptuous Proportions
Bunbury Herald and Blackwood Express 4 November 1924, page 3
World’s Biggest Pig
One of the most wonderful attractions that has ever been brought to Australia is ‘Billy,’ who is claimed to be the world’s largest pig. Billy is a. Berkshire-Tamworth crossbred, born on the South Island of New Zealand. The monster caused quite a sensation at the recent Sydney Royal Show, where he was viewed by over 65,000 people, including the Governor, Sir Dudley de Chair, and Vice-Regal Party.
Breeders of stock are amazed at ‘Billy’s’ enormous growth, and nobody seems to understand why ‘Billy’ should grow so big. Some idea of his growth can be gained from the following gigantic dimensions. This veritable Goliath stands 3ft 9in high; measures 6ft 9in in girth; is over 8ft long from tip to tip, and turns the scale at 12281bs— roughly, half a ton, live weight. ‘Billy,’ who is just a baby (under 4 years of age) is still growing and is likely to pile on weight for at least another two years yet. Special arrangements are now in hand to have the mammoth porker housed and exhibited before the public at the forthcoming Royal Show.
Billy, the gigantic New Zealand pig afforded an interesting spectacle to the many visitors to the Kalgoorlie Railway Station yesterday. He was travelling with the ‘World’s Smallest Racehorse’ to the Perth Royal Show. He consumes two cases of apples a day to keep him pure. His owner, Mr Joe Gardiner, states the cost to bring Billy from Sydney was over £300. Billy was able to set six youngsters along his back in comfort.
Billy giving a child a ride
Moya Sharp
Latest posts by Moya Sharp (see all)
- Blood on the Mulga Plains: The Last Day of John Sutherland - 28/02/2026
- A Brother’s Return in Mourning: Tragedy on the Coolgardie Goldfields - 28/02/2026
- The Contract at Old Warden Shaft - 28/02/2026
I would love to know more about Billy the Pigs owner Joseph Gardiner. I have been working on a family tree for his grandson who is in his 80’s. I came across some info in the nsw police gazette searching for a joseph gardiner (real name August Joseeph Gertenheyer) and it went on to say that he was engaged in exhibiting a record size pig and sow said to be the largest in the world. I know he was born in Germany but left at an early age heading to London and then i have records showing he came to NZ. At some point he travelled back and forth to Australia. Him and his wife were a well known vaud de vaul act in NZ, him saying he was a champion wrestler and ju-jitsu expert. I would love to be able to confirm the pig story for sure and maybe find a photo would be the very best.