Someone has stolen part of the bronze sculpture ‘Not Without Chomley’, by artist Anne Ross from the grounds at Gasworks Arts Park. The sculpture is part of the City of Port Phillip Collection, purchased as a gift to the people of South Melbourne in 1991. We are asking for any information on the whereabouts of the single standing dog, in the hope that it is returned. The contact details for the City of Port Phillip can be found here
The complete 'Not without Chomley' sculpture
Image: City of Port Phillip Facebook page
'Not without Chomley' sculpture, November 2023
Image: City of Port Phillip Facebook page
The Gasworks Arts Park was established on the site of the old South Melbourne (later the Metropolitan) Gas Company works. During May and June 1991 the GAS Outdoor sculpture exhibition was held at the park and 'Not without Chomley' was one of the sculptures created for this exhibition.
A report in The Age in May 1991 noted the risk of potential vandalism - showing sculpture in a public place has its difficulties - the artists have been rostered on site 24 house a day not to offer guided tours but to protect the works from vandals. The City of South Melbourne purchased 'Not without Chomley' in July 1991 and it was the first permanent installation in the Sculpture Park.
Sadly a few months later Anne Ross' sculpture fell victim to vandals. The original sculpture was of cement fondu, which was all the artist could afford at the time; this was a fragile material and it was smashed with a sledge hammer. The City of South Melbourne had it recast in bronze and it has been on display and enjoyed by many for the past thirty years.
'Not without Chomley' is now incomplete as the little dog has been stolen. If you have any information contact the City of Port Phillip, details here.
Good News
On September 16, 2025 the City of Port Phillip announced -
A familiar canine has returned to Gasworks Arts Park, with the second Chomley Dog replaced after being stolen in November 2023. ‘Not Without Chomley’ has now been restored to its original appearance, with the original artist, Anne Ross, commissioned to recreate the sculpture.During the installation of the new Chomley Dog, the original 1991 handover and 1992 recasting commemorative plaques were uncovered.
Why are there two commemorative plaques?
In August 1991, the sculpture was installed as a gift to the people of South Melbourne, making it the first permanent sculpture at the park. (Unfortunately, it was destroyed by vandalism not long after being installed.) In November 1992, a new and more durable bronze version was installed.
We warmly welcome the Chomley Dog back to Gasworks Arts Park
Sources
- City of Port Phillip Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cityofportphillip
- Grogan, Robert Gasworks to Gasworks: from an industrial complex to an Arts Park - https://www.gasworks.org.au/about-us/history
- Lancashire, Rebecca Sculptors out in the open - The Age 22 May, 1991, p. 13
- https://www.gasworks.org.au/visit-us/public-sculptures/not-without-chomley
