What Happened to the Canley Kangaroo?

For nearly 50 years the Canley Kangaroo stood by the entrance to Henry Parkes primary school. Being life size, the Kangaroo was an imposing statue that surprised many visitors. Why would a Kangaroo be sitting outside a school in the middle of England? But 'Skippy' was just a reminder that Sir Henry Parkes, who was born in Canley in 1815, made a massive contribution to helping ordinary people after he emigrated to Australia.
  
Sadly 'Skippy' was viciously attacked in the mid 1990's. The statue was smashed beyond repair by vandals, leaving the school without its mascot.
  

But all is not lost. When Canley railway station was rebuilt in 1995, a new kangaroo appeared on the outside of the booking office. Designed by the leading artist John Mckenna, the new Canley Kangaroo is a four foot high embossed panel in eye-catching blue.