Larry La Trobe
Encyclopedia
Larry La Trobe is the name given to a popular, cast bronze statue of a dog situated on the northern end of Melbourne’s City Square
(corner of Collins Street
and Swanston Street). Along with the Burke and Wills monument, the statue is one of only two free standing art works in the City Square precinct.
created the statue as a result of a commission from the Melbourne City Council in 1992 and was the first sculpture for Melbourne’s Open Air Sculpture Museum . Based on her own dog, Lucy, the statue is not representative of any particular breed but has been crafted to generate a sense of Australian larrikinism in the viewer. Irving named the statue after her uncle Larry and the surname ‘La Trobe’ was appended to represent the relationship with Melbourne, Australia and the state of Victoria. Charles La Trobe
was the first Lieutenant Governor of the state of Victoria
.
Despite being anchored by 30 cm bolts, the statue was stolen on the night of 30/31 August 1995. Thought to have been taken as part of a university stunt or melted down no trace was ever found of the original statue or the thieves who committed the theft.
A campaign was started by the Melbourne Times, a weekly city newspaper, to recover Larry. The publicity generated by this campaign captured the imagination of the public. A two metre high likeness of Larry was created for the 1996 Moomba Parade
to create additional publicity that might lead to the return of the statue.
Although the subject of a significant publicity and media campaign the original statue has never been recovered. The statue now located in the square is the second statue of ‘Larry’. In 1996, Peter Kolliner, previous owner of the foundry where Larry was originally cast, paid for a casting of a new statue. The new statue was cast in the same mould as the original but Irving reddened the casting material to provide the second ‘Larry’ with a unique identity.
The second Larry was reinstalled in the City Square and officially unveiled on 16 September 1996 by Melbourne Lord Mayor, Councillor Ivan Deveson
.
The two-meter high replica of the statue used in the Moomba Parade was taken to Osaka, Japan, a sister city of Melbourne, in 1997 for the Midosuji Parade where it was awarded the prize for Best Float.
on Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall. A sculpture of ‘Larry’ riding Phar Lap
and titled ‘Phar Larry’ was also created by Irving for the 1999 Melbourne Cup
.
City Square, Melbourne
The City Square is a pedestrian plaza and former civic centre located in the Central Business District of Melbourne, Australia. The square is currently bounded by Swanston Street, Collins Street, Flinders Lane and the Westin Hotel. Melbourne Town Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral are prominent...
(corner of Collins Street
Collins Street, Melbourne
Collins Street is a major street in the Melbourne central business district and runs approximately east to west.It is notable as Melbourne's traditional main street and best known street, is often regarded as Australia's premier street, with some of the country's finest Victorian era buildings.The...
and Swanston Street). Along with the Burke and Wills monument, the statue is one of only two free standing art works in the City Square precinct.
History
Melbourne artist Pamela IrvingPamela Irving
Pamela Irving is a prominent Australian Visual artist specialising in bronze, ceramic and mosaic sculptures as well as printmaking and copper etchings...
created the statue as a result of a commission from the Melbourne City Council in 1992 and was the first sculpture for Melbourne’s Open Air Sculpture Museum . Based on her own dog, Lucy, the statue is not representative of any particular breed but has been crafted to generate a sense of Australian larrikinism in the viewer. Irving named the statue after her uncle Larry and the surname ‘La Trobe’ was appended to represent the relationship with Melbourne, Australia and the state of Victoria. Charles La Trobe
Charles La Trobe
Charles Joseph La Trobe was the first lieutenant-governor of the colony of Victoria .-Early life:La Trobe was born in London, the son of Christian Ignatius Latrobe, a family of Huguenot origin...
was the first Lieutenant Governor of the state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
.
Despite being anchored by 30 cm bolts, the statue was stolen on the night of 30/31 August 1995. Thought to have been taken as part of a university stunt or melted down no trace was ever found of the original statue or the thieves who committed the theft.
A campaign was started by the Melbourne Times, a weekly city newspaper, to recover Larry. The publicity generated by this campaign captured the imagination of the public. A two metre high likeness of Larry was created for the 1996 Moomba Parade
Moomba
Moomba is Australia's largest free community festival and one of the longest running festivals in Australia. Held annually in the city of Melbourne, Australia, Moomba is celebrated during the Labour Day long weekend , and has been celebrated since 1955...
to create additional publicity that might lead to the return of the statue.
Although the subject of a significant publicity and media campaign the original statue has never been recovered. The statue now located in the square is the second statue of ‘Larry’. In 1996, Peter Kolliner, previous owner of the foundry where Larry was originally cast, paid for a casting of a new statue. The new statue was cast in the same mould as the original but Irving reddened the casting material to provide the second ‘Larry’ with a unique identity.
The second Larry was reinstalled in the City Square and officially unveiled on 16 September 1996 by Melbourne Lord Mayor, Councillor Ivan Deveson
Ivan Deveson
Ivan Deveson AO is an Australian businessman and the 100th Lord Mayor of Melbourne from 1996 to 1999 after a period of Commissioners controlling the Melbourne City Council. Deveson was elected for 3 consecutive terms, the only time in Melbourne's history that this has occurred. This was the...
.
The two-meter high replica of the statue used in the Moomba Parade was taken to Osaka, Japan, a sister city of Melbourne, in 1997 for the Midosuji Parade where it was awarded the prize for Best Float.
Description
The statue is approximately 70 cm high and cast from bronze. Although it has been likened to a 'dingo type dog' the model for the statue is a composite that does not represent any one breed in particular.Cultural Events
The image of Larry was one of the features of the 1999 Melbourne Comedy Festival. Ceramic sculptures of Larry in comedic parodies of famous international and Australian artists’ works were displayed in the windows of MyerMyer
Myer is Australia's largest department store chain, retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories; cosmetics and fragrance; homewares; electrical; furniture and bedding; toys; books and stationery; food and confectionery; and...
on Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall. A sculpture of ‘Larry’ riding Phar Lap
Phar Lap
Phar Lap was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse whose achievements captured the public's imagination during the early years of the Great Depression. Foaled in New Zealand, he was trained and raced in Australia. Phar Lap dominated Australian racing during a distinguished career, winning a Melbourne...
and titled ‘Phar Larry’ was also created by Irving for the 1999 Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
.
Popularity
The location, accessibility and popularity of the statue have resulted in it becoming one of Melbourne's most photographed statues.See also
- Pamela IrvingPamela IrvingPamela Irving is a prominent Australian Visual artist specialising in bronze, ceramic and mosaic sculptures as well as printmaking and copper etchings...
- Burke and Wills
- City Square, MelbourneCity Square, MelbourneThe City Square is a pedestrian plaza and former civic centre located in the Central Business District of Melbourne, Australia. The square is currently bounded by Swanston Street, Collins Street, Flinders Lane and the Westin Hotel. Melbourne Town Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral are prominent...
- Collins StreetCollins Street, MelbourneCollins Street is a major street in the Melbourne central business district and runs approximately east to west.It is notable as Melbourne's traditional main street and best known street, is often regarded as Australia's premier street, with some of the country's finest Victorian era buildings.The...
- Swanston Street