St Peter the Apostle statue in Hoppers Crossing

In an act of cultural vandalism in June 2025 the statue of St Peter the Apostle was stolen from his plinth at the St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoppers Crossing.  The statue, by sculptor Louis Laumen, was installed in 1999, and there was an attempt to steal it in 2014, when thieves dragged it for a short distance and then abandoned it. The statue was re-modelled by the sculptor and reinstalled. However, on June 17, 2025, the statue was cut off at the ankles and stolen. 

As Wyndham TV reported The statue, a long-standing fixture of the church grounds, holds significant religious and emotional value for the congregation. The way it was removed has left many disturbed.  

The remains of the statue after it was stolen in June 2025.

Image: St Peter Apostle Mission Parish Facebook post of 18/6/2025

This is yet another example of  wanton destruction of  a work of art which was well liked and respected by the community. The perpetrators show no respect to the community or to the sculptor, Louis Laumen, who is known for both his religious statues and his Parade of Champions statues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

This story does have a satisfactory ending, as the statue has been recently restored to the Church community. The Facebook page of the Church announced on January 23, 2026 that the statue has been replaced. It doesn't say whether it is the restored stolen statue or a new casting. 

St Peter the Apostle in January 2026. 

Image: St Peter Apostle Mission Parish Facebook post of 23/1/2026

Sources
Statue of St Peter cut off and stolen from Hoppers Crossing Church - Wyndham TV https://www.wyndhamtv.com.au/statue-of-st-peter-cut-off-and-stolen-from-hoppers-crossing-church/
Statue of St Peter stolen from Vic School
https://www.9news.com.au/national/statue-of-st-peter-stolen-from-vic-school/3a52ee26-9fb7-4d3a-8c99-2e7ef4f144f6

Australian Catholic Liturgical Art website https://art.catholic.org.au/2022/10/19/louis-laumen-sculptor/

St Peter Apostle Mission Parish website https://stpeterapostlemission.org.au/our-church/st-peter-our-patron-saint/stpeterstatue-louislaumen/
St Peter Apostle Mission Parish Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stpetershoppers

Catch Me Sculpture stolen from Keast Park in Frankston

Another whimsical statue has been stolen recently.  Catch Me by Keld Moseholm, was part of Sculpture by the Sea, at Keast Park in Frankston. 

The sculpture had originally been installed in 2022 near the Seaford Library and had only just been re-located to Keast Park. A plaque describes the sculpture as representing An image of human behaviour where dramatic situations often occur and which can be both tragic and comical.

Keld Moseholm (1936-2023) was a Danish sculptor and was known for his rounded figurative sculptures that balance humor and gravity, portraying humanity as small spheres in a larger game.

Catch Me sculpture at Keast Park, Frankston

Image: https://www.imaginefrankston.com.au/seaford/catch-me-keld-moseholm

The sad remains

Image: City of Frankston Facebook post of December 23, 2025  

 https://www.facebook.com/FrankstonCityCouncil

The City of Frankston's Facebook post on this theft notes that the remains of the sculpture have been removed while investigations are underway.  They also state that Public art belongs to all of us and one of the comments on this Facebook post confirms this idea of public ownership -  When this sculpture was at Seaford Library a lot of little kids would hug the sculpture. No judgement just hugs.  

Sadly this is just another example of a delightful, well loved sculpture being maliciously stolen from the community. 

Should you have any information about the Catch Me sculpture, contact the police or please leave a comment below or see 'Contact us' tab for anonymous emailing.

Should you actually possess the item and wish to return it its rightful owners or custodians, please contact us.

Sources

• City of Frankston Facebook post of December 23, 2025   https://www.facebook.com/FrankstonCityCouncil
• Atlas Obscura https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/catch-me
• Keld Moseholm, sculptor,  website https://www.moseholm.dk/moseholmdk/en
• Imagine Frankston website https://www.imaginefrankston.com.au/seaford/catch-me-keld-moseholm 

Bronze Bather sculpture stolen from Parkdale

The Bronze Bather statue by Anne Ross was stolen from outside the Parkdale Railway Station on  November 12, 2025. The statue and a companion piece, collectively the Windsong Sculptures,  were installed in December 2024 as part of the re-development of the Parkdale Station. 

Bronze Bather statue by Anne Ross

Image: https://baysidenews.com.au/2025/12/10/search-for-missing-statue-underway/

The artist Anne Ross, was interviewed for the Level Crossing Removal website and spoke about her inspiration for the pieces -
There are numerous symbols I included in the works, inspired by my research and personal experience of the local area.

The one-piece bathing suit and cap, worn by both figures references local international swimming champion Annette Kellerman, who moved to the area with her parents in 1902. She was one of the first women to wear a one-piece bathing suit, which was controversial at the time, and she advocated for a women’s right to wear a one-piece starting her own line of bathing suits, among many other successful pursuits.

There is also my interpretation of a miniature representation of the Shirley Burke Theatre ‘The Winter Garden’, to acknowledge the important work and time the former Mayor dedicated to shaping Parkdale. Shirley moved to Bethel Avenue in Parkdale with her parents in the early 1950s and became deeply involved in driving many community projects, serving as mayor in the 1960s – always acting with the community at heart.

The sculptures also feature boats, an obvious connection to the bay, as are the birds. The three birds may also be seen as representing flight into the future. There are five buildings included within one of the pieces. These may be viewed as the five original shops in Parkdale, the old bathing boxes, some stables or houses – all elements that are part of Parkdale’s past and present. And of course, the dog represents the beloved local Parkdale pet population.

All that remains of the Bronze Bather sculpture are  her feet. 

Image: Tim Richardson,  M.P., Facebook page from 13/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/richardson4mordialloc

This is a very sad end for a delightful statue, the inspiration for which came from the local area. 

Should you have any information about Bronze Bather, contact the police or please leave a comment below or see 'Contact us' tab for anonymous emailing.

Should you actually possess the item and wish to return it its rightful owners or custodians, please contact us.

References

• Introducing Parkdale Station's New Public Art, December 13, 2024. Level Crossing Removal Project website, read. 
• New Artwork at Parkdale Station, January 10, 2025. Level Crossing Removal Project website, read.
• Search for Missing Statue under way, The News, Bayside, December 10, 2025, read  
• Anne Ross Artist and Sculptor https://www.anneross.com.au/

The Theft of Sparkly Bear from Brunswick

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024 the Sparkly Bear statue was stolen from the Barkly Square shopping centre in Brunswick. The Brunswick Voice reported that -
The life-sized brass statue of a bear riding a tandem bike was removed from the centre in the early hours of last Wednesday, September 11, and its whereabouts remain a mystery. Police believe the thieves reversed a truck into a laneway near Barkly Square about 4am. Three people got out of the truck and used an angle grinder cut through the base of the statue before lifting it with a crane onto the truck. They then fled into Barkly Street. Police said the statue is valued at $60,000. 

The report continues -  

The statue was installed in the laneway between the front and rear sections of the shopping centre in October 2018. It was made on a commission from the centre’s owners by Sydney-based sculptors Gillie and Marc Schattner. “We are absolutely shocked and heartbroken to learn that our beloved Sparkly Bear sculpture was stolen from Barkly Square,” the couple said in a statement to Brunswick Voice. “This piece was created with the intention of bringing joy and a sense of connection to the community, and to see it taken in such a way is devastating."

“We believe that public art plays a crucial role in fostering shared experiences and creating spaces where people can come together. We urge anyone with information to come forward, as we hope for the safe return of Sparkly Bear so that it can once again be enjoyed by the community.”

Sparkly Bear

Image: https://gillieandmarc.com/products/sparkly-bear

This is a mean spirited theft of a delightful and loved sculpture which brought joy to people of all ages in the community. 

Sparkly Bear

Image: https://gillieandmarc.com/products/sparkly-bear

Should you have any information about  Sparkly Bear, contact the police or please leave a comment below or see 'Contact us' tab for anonymous emailing.

Should you actually possess the item and wish to return it its rightful owners or custodians, please contact us.

References
Sparkly Bear Missing after Brazen Theft - Brunswick Voice September 18, 2024, read.
Sparkly Bear Arrives at Brunswick Square https://barklysquare.com.au/whatson/sparkly-bear/
The website of sculptors Gillie and Marc  https://gillieandmarc.com/products/sparkly-bear

Not without Chomley sculpture at Gasworks Art Park - Part 1

The City of Port Phillip issued this report on their Facebook page on November 27, 2023 -
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.  

However in 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

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. The sculpture represents the bond between people and their pet dog, or 'mans best friend'.

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.

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
• Anne Ross Artist and Sculptor https://www.anneross.com.au/

Lost or missing sculptures of Glen Eira

 Lost or missing sculptures of Glen Eira by Carol Stals 

Originally published in the Glen Eira Historical Society Newsletter Number 11, November 2016  and used with permission.

Glen Eira seems to have mystery surrounding some of their sculptures.

One sculpture was the work Kore by Karl Duldig which was unfortunately stolen from its base in the Elsternwick Shopping Centre in 2013 [from outside the Post Office in Staniland Grove]. It was quite a few days before the disappearance was noticed.  The police have not been able to trace it. [A duplicate sculpture was commissioned by the neighbouring City of Stonnington and installed in Central Park, Malvern East in 2016.]

Kore by Karl Duldig

https://www.duldig.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Karl-Duldig-Public-Works-of-Art.pdf

Another work, Isabella, was created in memory of Isabella Webb, the 19 year old daughter of Judge George Webb of Crotonhurst.  She died in India in 1876 while on a trip with her father. 

Historian Dr Geulah Solomon notes: “The marble sculpture of Isabella, which Webb subsequently had cast by Charles Summers, the sculptor of the famous statue of Burke and Wills, now stands in the Caulfield City Hall" (1)  

In 1981, the Caulfield Historical Society had a brass plaque made and placed on the statue in Caulfield Town Hall (2). 

A third piece of sculpture was the bronze statue of a small child kneeling.  It was a drinking fountain made for the Railway Reserve beside Elsternwick Station then shifted to Greenmeadows Gardens.  This was designed and executed by Paul Montford, creator of the Adam Lindsay Gordon piece, plus major works on the Shrine of Remembrance.  It seems to have disappeared many years ago

What a strange history of three valuable sculptures disappearing.  Does anybody remember Isabella or the Kneeling Child?  Do you know the answer?

Footnotes -
1. G Solomon, Caulfield's heritage, volume 1 Caulfield's building heritage, City of Caulfield 1989, page 36.
2.  Caulfield Historical Society Newsletter 18, August 1981, page 64.

..........................................................................................................................

More information:

Kore - https://www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/Community/Arts-and-culture/Public-art-collection/Kor%C3%A9 

Crotonhurst - https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2021/01/mr-justice-george-webb-of-croton-hurst.html

Should you have any information about this item's history or location, please leave a comment below or see 'Contact us' tab for anonymous emailing.

Should you actually possess the item and wish to return it its rightful owners or custodians, please contact us.

Rosemary Statue Victory Park Ascot Vale

On 28 August 2015 a life-sized bronze statue of a woman  was unveiled in Victory Park, Ascot Vale, in honour of the enduring sacrifice made by women who cared for veterans of World War I.  She was named Rosemary, after the traditional emblem of remembrance, the rosemary plant. The statue was commissioned by the group Women Caring for Veterans of War and funded by a Commonwealth Government ANZAC Centenary grant and the Moonee Valley Council.

The original Rosemary statue.

Image: City of Moonee Valley

Over night on 19 January 2016, Rosemary was stolen, cut off at the ankles, leaving only the feet on the stone plinth. The Moneee Valley Council worked quickly to replace the statue with one made of thicker more robust material and new Rosemary was unveiled 14 March 2017.

All that remained of the Rosemary statute.  

Image: 3AW Breakfast Twitter account

The replacement Rosemary.

Image: City of Moonee Valley

Rosemary is an exquisite statue and stands as a memorial to women everywhere, who cared and still care for service men and women who have been injured both physically and psychologically through war service. It was a callous and disrespectful act to destroy the original. 

Should you have any information about the original Rosemary statute, please leave a comment below or see 'Contact us' tab for anonymous emailing.
Should you actually possess the item and wish to return it its rightful owners or custodians, please contact us.


References

• 3AW Rumour File: Heartless thieves cut Ascot Vale tribute at the ankles, 20 January 2016, read 
• Memorial to Women War carers stolen from Ascot Vale Park by Craig Butt. The Age 21 January 2016, read 
• ‘Despicable’ thieves steal tribute statue from Ascot Vale park by Kara Irving. The Herald Sun 21 January 2016, read  
• Replica statue on its way to replace stole Ascot Vale War memorial by Linh Ly. Moonee Valley Leader 25 May, 2016, read 
• Essendon Historical Society newsletter April-May 2018, page 10 read 
• Monument Australia Women Carers of World War One Veterans, read 
• Moonee Valley Family and Local History Blog: Where did Rosemary go? read  

Interestingly, in all the information on the Rosemary statue, the sculptor is not mentioned. We would be interested to know who it was to give them their rightful credit.

Larry Latrobe sculpture

It is thirty years since Pamela Irving's sculpture, Larry Latrobe, was installed on the footpath in Swanston Street.  In August 1992, John Stevens, writing in The Age newspaper described Larry as a slightly larger than life-size bronze dog, a grinning bitzer of a beast, which will be mounted where it will take pedestrians by surprise (1). Larry spent three years watching activity in the City Square (2) until August 1995 when he was stolen, in spite of being tethered to the ground by 30 cm long bolts.

A new Larry was recast by the foundary owner, Peter Kolliner, although Pamela Irving slightly altered the new Larry's colouring to give him an individual look. New Larry was unveiled on 16 September, 1996.  In 2017, due to the Metro Tunnel works Larry was removed from his City Square home and the next year re-located outside the Melbourne Town Hall. 

Larry in the City Square

Image: Pamela Irving's website https://www.pamelairving.com.au/

Larry was based on Pamela Irving's own dog, Lucy, and named for her uncle, Larry. Larry the dog still delights Melburnians, but where is the original Larry?

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Footnotes and Sources
(1) Echoes of art along the Walk by John Stevens. The Age, 15 August 1992, p. 2
(2) Street sculpture finally turns the corner by John Schauble. The Age, 31 July 1994, p. 5

Other references
Larry Latrobe City of Melbourne City Collection https://citycollection.melbourne.vic.gov.au/larry-latrobe/
Pamela Irving website https://www.pamelairving.com.au/
Viginia Trioli column in The Age, 18 September, 1996, p.17