Ballina Public Art – Ping Pong Drive In

Blending nostalgia with play, Ping Pong Drive-In is a playful public art installation located at the Wollongbar District Parkland. The artwork reimagines the site’s history as a former drive-in cinema, transforming it into a space for community recreation and connection through the universal joy of table tennis.

Designed by Tim Fry and Jeremy Austin, the steel decals and table design pay homage to the golden age of cinema while celebrating Wollongbar’s transformation into a thriving community hub. The work captures both memory and movement — inviting visitors to pause, play, and reflect on how shared spaces evolve over time.

Tim Fry is a Northern Rivers artist whose mixed media drawings and ceramic sculptures are influenced by Pop Art and everyday life. A graduate of Southern Cross University, his work explores social, environmental, and cultural themes with humour and playfulness.
Jeremy Austin, also based in the Northern Rivers, is a multidisciplinary artist who grew up surrounded by art materials in his father’s Lismore art store. His creative style draws inspiration from comic books, science fiction, and graphic lettering, blending nostalgia with contemporary design.

Together, their collaboration turns a simple park feature into a public artwork that celebrates memory, creativity, and community fun.