Sunshine’s much-loved Millennium Man statue still stands … for now.
Last week Vicinity Centres, the operator of Sunshine Marketplace, confirmed it planned to remove the statue because of safety issues and costs associated with restoring it.
But significant public backlash over the decision has brought about a brief reprieve.
A post on the popular Millennium Man Menagerie Facebook page imploring people to voice their displeasure at the plan, reached almost 100,000 people.
Sources close to those trying to save the statue say that while the current incarnation may be beyond repair, a bronzed replica, designed to stand the test of time, could be a fitting alternative.
Local resident Dinesh Jayasuriya met with Vicinity last week and said early discussions were promising.
“It was a good start – Vicinity agreed to fund a3D Scan and to store the Millennium Man’s belt and globe.
“With the scan and some parts stored it will make it easier to restore or replicate him.
“From here we’ll consult the community and get an idea of what people want to see happen.”
It is hoped that the significant public interest would result in a successful crowdfunding campaign to save the statue.
“Locals have a strong connection and history with Millennium Man,” Mr Jayasuriya said.
“It might be because they interacted with him or climbed him when they were kids. Or maybe because they see that towering figure from the train and know they are home.
“Millennium Man has a unique history that spans nearly a quarter-century.
“His story is both whimsical and is connected to Sunshine’s own journey since the 1990s.
“He’s no doubt the most visible local artefact of that period of time.”
Mr Jayasuriya said future placement of the statue also needed to be discussed.
“Ideally we’d like him to be installed on the Hampshire Road side [‘helipad’ area] of the Sunshine Marketplace property.
“This way he will be a more prominent part of Sunshine CBD, a focal point drawing people right along Hampshire Road and into the Sunshine Marketplace.”
