Incredible twist in case of missing Gold Coast bronze statue after it was ‘found' at home in Sydney
The Gold Coast's missing Sun Spirit bronze statue is still missing, following reports it was spotted at a Sydney home.
The Sun Spirit is a bronze statue of a bikini-clad woman relaxing in the sun and sat atop a wooden box on Currumbin Beach, on Queensland's Gold Coast for almost two decades since being purchased in 2006.
Last month, the statue was stolen from its spot and a widespread search for it was launched.
Gold Coasters hopes were raised when a real estate agent spotted the statue at a Sydney home tour.
On Wednesday, Gold Coast reporter Georgia Costi spoke of the possible find.
'A Gold Coast real estate agent has posted on social media that she was browsing online when she came across a listing in Sydney's Northern Beaches that appears to show a very, very, very similar-looking statue sitting around the pool,' Costi said.
But hopes were quickly dashed as sculptor Frank Miles told ABC Coast FM that he made two other replicas.
Miles confirmed he had kept a replica for himself and his own family. The artist also ruled out any more replicas, saying the Sun Spirit mould was accidentally broken.
The statue, which was purchased for $20,000, stands 1.6m tall.
It had proved popular with locals and tourists alike, with many stopping to take photos of it.
Locals initially thought it was removed as a safety precaution as the region prepared for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, only for Gold Coast Council to announce it was missing and likely stolen.
Previously, Costi had interviewed local man Nick Atkinson at Currumbin Beach, who offered two cartons of beer for anyone who has information leading to its return.
'(It's) unreal. Everyone's devo,' Atkinson told Costi.
'It would have been a significant effort, just picking it up... even grinding it.
'Someone must have seen something. I feel like the sparks and sound, someone knows something about where this (statue) is and I'm going to find it today.
'I've got a carton of beer on offer and a sponsor has just come in and said they're going to throw in another one.
'So, there's two cartons of beer for anyone who gives me info to find this thing.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
Shocking footage emerges of men involved in a brawl on road at Ashmore on the Gold Coast
Shocking footage has emerged of two men involved in a terrifying brawl at a Queensland intersection. Horrified motorists were forced to watch the roadside punch-on on Saturday, at Currumburra Road in Ashmore on the Gold Coast, between a driver of a white Holden Commodore and a silver Volkswagen ute. The fight even blocked-off traffic at one point. In the footage, the driver of the Commodore can be heard screaming 'come on', as he takes a punch at the Volkswagen driver. As the fight intensified, the man delivered a second blow. The Volkswagen driver then did an illegal U-turn, mounting the median strip and pulling in front of the Commodore. On Monday, Sunrise reporter Georgia Costi spoke about the fracas, which has racked up a massive four million views on Facebook. 'It was all happening, and all the other drivers were paused, not quite knowing what was going to happen next,' Costi said, reporting from the intersection. 'It was a very dramatic and violent spectacle, and it all took place at this busy intersection here in Ashmore. 'You will be able to see in the footage one of the men from the Commodore gets out of the car. He is urging the other driver to get out and fight him and he lands several punches. 'That is when the other driver does a very dramatic illegal U turn but then he ends upcoming back over the median strip. 'Then, finally the driver of Volkswagen does decide to leave but the other driver gets in his car and follows him.' Queensland Police have said they are aware of the footage, but no complaint has been made.
Sydney Morning Herald
20-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane news live: Federal fund for council's cyclone clean-up dries up
Go to latest Federal fund for council's cyclone clean-up dries up By Residents who have been faced with broken trees and playground shade sails since Cyclone Alfred lashed Brisbane in March might be left waiting, as the council doubles down on a funding bid. The Brisbane City Council said federal funding had 'barely scratched the surface' of damage in the region, and it would not continue clean-up efforts until it was given more aid. Loading Deputy Lord Mayor Fiona Cunningham said each council had received $1 million before the storm hit, but 'as the largest local government in the country' Brisbane's share was not enough. 'Right now we're facing a funding gap of $2.2 million just for tree-related damage, with broader citywide cyclone impacts estimated close to $45 million,' she said. The Commonwealth approved a further $32 million on clean-up efforts in Brisbane on April 9, but Cunningham said the council CEO had appealed for a boost to finish up repairs. 'Seventy-eight days in, the reality is that we're still waiting for approval of category D funding despite our repeated requests,' she said. Cunningham added the council had already begun 'essential recovery works' across the city. 7.28am State pares back 'good character' evidence in sexual violence cases By Catherine Strohfeldt A person's social position, reputation, or contributions to the community will have a drastically reduced effect on sentencing for sexual offences in Queensland. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the changes to 'good character' evidence were a major win for victims, and came alongside harsher penalties for sexual offences against children. Loading 'No one wants to hear that a rapist is an all-round great person, a trustworthy mate, or that they're respected in the community – especially not their victim, bravely sitting in court,' Frecklington said. Evidence of 'good character' will still be admissible in sexual violence cases, but only if it helps establish a defendant's likelihood of reoffending, or their ability to be rehabilitated. Queensland Victims' Commissioner Beck O'Connor said the law should have been amended so 'a court must not consider any 'good behaviour' evidence for offenders in any circumstance'. 'Victim-survivors have said this evidence is an attempt to minimise, or counteract, the hurt caused by an offender,' O'Connor said. 'These limited amendments proposed by [the] Queensland Sentencing and Advisory Council will not resolve these issues.' The changes follow a QSAC report released in February, and follow a spate of changes to youth crime sentencing rolled out in the government's first seven months. 7.27am Australia 'in danger of permanent structural decline', former deputy PM says By Sarah McPhee Former deputy prime minister John Anderson says the country is in danger of permanent structural decline after the Coalition breakdown. 'Now, there's no doubt in my mind that experience shows over the 80 years that the Coalition agreement has been in place that working together produces better government for the country and Australia needs better government now more than ever,' Anderson told Sky News. 'We are in danger of permanently entering structural decline and this is happening in the context of a very dangerous world. So I hope they can sort their differences out very, very quickly.' Anderson said he was 'dismayed' at what was happening. 'The parties do not exist to serve themselves. They exist to serve the national interest,' he said. Loading 'We've just been through an election which could've been won, in my view, and I profoundly believe that to be true, if we'd had the policies to address the issues … that have to be addressed if we are to halt our structural decline.' Anderson was the leader of The Nationals and deputy prime minister to John Howard from 1999 to 2005. 7.21am Federal fund for council's cyclone clean-up dries up By Catherine Strohfeldt Residents who have been faced with broken trees and playground shade sails since Cyclone Alfred lashed Brisbane in March might be left waiting, as the council doubles down on a funding bid. The Brisbane City Council said federal funding had 'barely scratched the surface' of damage in the region, and it would not continue clean-up efforts until it was given more aid. Loading Deputy Lord Mayor Fiona Cunningham said each council had received $1 million before the storm hit, but 'as the largest local government in the country' Brisbane's share was not enough. 'Right now we're facing a funding gap of $2.2 million just for tree-related damage, with broader citywide cyclone impacts estimated close to $45 million,' she said. The Commonwealth approved a further $32 million on clean-up efforts in Brisbane on April 9, but Cunningham said the council CEO had appealed for a boost to finish up repairs. 'Seventy-eight days in, the reality is that we're still waiting for approval of category D funding despite our repeated requests,' she said. Cunningham added the council had already begun 'essential recovery works' across the city. 7.07am The weather this Wednesday The mild weather continues in the River City today, with what is predicted to be a partly sunny Wednesday. While the weather bureau has forecast a small chance of a shower, only a millimetre would be in it. We think you can leave the umbrella at home. Otherwise, after some early fog, we're expecting a pleasant top of 26 degrees in Brisbane today. Here's the outlook for the rest of the week and into the weekend. 7.00am While you were sleeping Here's what's making news further afield this morning: The Nationals have split from the Liberals for the first time since 1987. Former prime minister John Howard has damned the split as a 'stupid move' that threatens to deepen the parties' differences. The radioactive debate over nuclear energy is at the core of the Coalition meltdown. And, writes Tony Wright, the Nationals were once feared. 'Now they merely stamp their feet.' Anthony Albanese is on track to f all 262,000 short of his target of 1.2 million new homes by the end of the decade, a government adviser warns. Weight-loss drugs come with unpleasant side-effects. But these readily available foods can help you lose weight without the need for medication. Bitcoin is back. After a pretty miserable start to the year, the world's most well-known digital asset has staged a sharp rebound. So, is now a good time to invest? And the world's richest man, Elon Musk, says he will cut back or completely stop his record-breaking political spending following a bruising start to 2025 in which shares in his car company Tesla sank. 6.47am The top stories this morning Good morning, and welcome to Brisbane Times' live news coverage for Wednesday, May 21. Today we can expect a partly cloudy day and a top temperature of 26 degrees. In this morning's local headlines: The father of the merged Liberal National Party in Queensland, Lawrence Springborg, insists the Coalition's federal split will have no bearing on the party in Queensland. Under pressure to come clean over its sudden decision to close the Story Bridge's footpaths, Brisbane's council is releasing all its reports on their maintenance and restoration. A teenager who used a paint-filled fire extinguisher to vandalise former federal opposition leader Peter Dutton's office has been sentenced in Brisbane. Brisbane is likely to fine Reece Walsh over a social media post in which the star fullback punches a friend in the head while wearing a boxing glove. In sport, Robert Toia turned down Wayne Bennett and battled injuries for three years. Now Queensland's latest rookie has been .
The Age
20-05-2025
- The Age
Brisbane news live: Federal fund for council's cyclone clean-up dries up
Go to latest Federal fund for council's cyclone clean-up dries up By Residents who have been faced with broken trees and playground shade sails since Cyclone Alfred lashed Brisbane in March might be left waiting, as the council doubles down on a funding bid. The Brisbane City Council said federal funding had 'barely scratched the surface' of damage in the region, and it would not continue clean-up efforts until it was given more aid. Loading Deputy Lord Mayor Fiona Cunningham said each council had received $1 million before the storm hit, but 'as the largest local government in the country' Brisbane's share was not enough. 'Right now we're facing a funding gap of $2.2 million just for tree-related damage, with broader citywide cyclone impacts estimated close to $45 million,' she said. The Commonwealth approved a further $32 million on clean-up efforts in Brisbane on April 9, but Cunningham said the council CEO had appealed for a boost to finish up repairs. 'Seventy-eight days in, the reality is that we're still waiting for approval of category D funding despite our repeated requests,' she said. Cunningham added the council had already begun 'essential recovery works' across the city. 7.28am State pares back 'good character' evidence in sexual violence cases By Catherine Strohfeldt A person's social position, reputation, or contributions to the community will have a drastically reduced effect on sentencing for sexual offences in Queensland. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the changes to 'good character' evidence were a major win for victims, and came alongside harsher penalties for sexual offences against children. Loading 'No one wants to hear that a rapist is an all-round great person, a trustworthy mate, or that they're respected in the community – especially not their victim, bravely sitting in court,' Frecklington said. Evidence of 'good character' will still be admissible in sexual violence cases, but only if it helps establish a defendant's likelihood of reoffending, or their ability to be rehabilitated. Queensland Victims' Commissioner Beck O'Connor said the law should have been amended so 'a court must not consider any 'good behaviour' evidence for offenders in any circumstance'. 'Victim-survivors have said this evidence is an attempt to minimise, or counteract, the hurt caused by an offender,' O'Connor said. 'These limited amendments proposed by [the] Queensland Sentencing and Advisory Council will not resolve these issues.' The changes follow a QSAC report released in February, and follow a spate of changes to youth crime sentencing rolled out in the government's first seven months. 7.27am Australia 'in danger of permanent structural decline', former deputy PM says By Sarah McPhee Former deputy prime minister John Anderson says the country is in danger of permanent structural decline after the Coalition breakdown. 'Now, there's no doubt in my mind that experience shows over the 80 years that the Coalition agreement has been in place that working together produces better government for the country and Australia needs better government now more than ever,' Anderson told Sky News. 'We are in danger of permanently entering structural decline and this is happening in the context of a very dangerous world. So I hope they can sort their differences out very, very quickly.' Anderson said he was 'dismayed' at what was happening. 'The parties do not exist to serve themselves. They exist to serve the national interest,' he said. Loading 'We've just been through an election which could've been won, in my view, and I profoundly believe that to be true, if we'd had the policies to address the issues … that have to be addressed if we are to halt our structural decline.' Anderson was the leader of The Nationals and deputy prime minister to John Howard from 1999 to 2005. 7.21am Federal fund for council's cyclone clean-up dries up By Catherine Strohfeldt Residents who have been faced with broken trees and playground shade sails since Cyclone Alfred lashed Brisbane in March might be left waiting, as the council doubles down on a funding bid. The Brisbane City Council said federal funding had 'barely scratched the surface' of damage in the region, and it would not continue clean-up efforts until it was given more aid. Loading Deputy Lord Mayor Fiona Cunningham said each council had received $1 million before the storm hit, but 'as the largest local government in the country' Brisbane's share was not enough. 'Right now we're facing a funding gap of $2.2 million just for tree-related damage, with broader citywide cyclone impacts estimated close to $45 million,' she said. The Commonwealth approved a further $32 million on clean-up efforts in Brisbane on April 9, but Cunningham said the council CEO had appealed for a boost to finish up repairs. 'Seventy-eight days in, the reality is that we're still waiting for approval of category D funding despite our repeated requests,' she said. Cunningham added the council had already begun 'essential recovery works' across the city. 7.07am The weather this Wednesday The mild weather continues in the River City today, with what is predicted to be a partly sunny Wednesday. While the weather bureau has forecast a small chance of a shower, only a millimetre would be in it. We think you can leave the umbrella at home. Otherwise, after some early fog, we're expecting a pleasant top of 26 degrees in Brisbane today. Here's the outlook for the rest of the week and into the weekend. 7.00am While you were sleeping Here's what's making news further afield this morning: The Nationals have split from the Liberals for the first time since 1987. Former prime minister John Howard has damned the split as a 'stupid move' that threatens to deepen the parties' differences. The radioactive debate over nuclear energy is at the core of the Coalition meltdown. And, writes Tony Wright, the Nationals were once feared. 'Now they merely stamp their feet.' Anthony Albanese is on track to f all 262,000 short of his target of 1.2 million new homes by the end of the decade, a government adviser warns. Weight-loss drugs come with unpleasant side-effects. But these readily available foods can help you lose weight without the need for medication. Bitcoin is back. After a pretty miserable start to the year, the world's most well-known digital asset has staged a sharp rebound. So, is now a good time to invest? And the world's richest man, Elon Musk, says he will cut back or completely stop his record-breaking political spending following a bruising start to 2025 in which shares in his car company Tesla sank. 6.47am The top stories this morning Good morning, and welcome to Brisbane Times' live news coverage for Wednesday, May 21. Today we can expect a partly cloudy day and a top temperature of 26 degrees. In this morning's local headlines: The father of the merged Liberal National Party in Queensland, Lawrence Springborg, insists the Coalition's federal split will have no bearing on the party in Queensland. Under pressure to come clean over its sudden decision to close the Story Bridge's footpaths, Brisbane's council is releasing all its reports on their maintenance and restoration. A teenager who used a paint-filled fire extinguisher to vandalise former federal opposition leader Peter Dutton's office has been sentenced in Brisbane. Brisbane is likely to fine Reece Walsh over a social media post in which the star fullback punches a friend in the head while wearing a boxing glove. In sport, Robert Toia turned down Wayne Bennett and battled injuries for three years. Now Queensland's latest rookie has been .
