Will you take his offer? Local pledges unusual bounty in exchange for an iconic artwork!
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Tropical cyclone Alfred left a trail of destruction and distraught among affected Aussies.
More than these communities, the cyclone also affected some of the most iconic spots in the area.
A local fixture has gone missing from the charming coasts of Currumbin Beach, and the search is on to bring it back to its rightful place.
Sunrise reporter Georgia Costi has been well-versed in the unpredictable nature of live television.
However, she found herself in the midst of this unusual story.
The Sun Spirit is a bronze depiction of a bikini-clad woman soaking up the sun's rays and has been more than just a statue since its installation in 2006.
Purchased for $20,000 and standing at 1.6 metres tall, the artwork by Frank Miles has become an iconic part of the Gold Coast's cultural tapestry.
However, the beloved statue in the area has vanished.
While locals thought that it was a precaution to remove the statue during a tropical cyclone, the Gold Coast council announced that it was most likely stolen.
Georgia Costi underscored the statue's significance to the community.
'If you've walked along Currumbin Beach in the last 20 or so years, there is a good chance you will know the statue we have been talking about,' Costi said.
'It's a real photo opportunity. Everyone who walks along here stops and takes a picture. No one knows where she is.'
Later on, Georgia Costi struggled to maintain her composure as a Currumbin local made an unconventional offer in exchange for the statue.
Enter Nick Atkinson, whose attachment to the statue spurred him to action.
In his interview with Costi, Atkinson expressed the collective disappointment of the community.
'It's unreal. Everyone's devo,' Atkinson stated, echoing the locals' devastation.
'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,' Atkinson added with determination.
His determination was matched by his creativity in offering a reward.
'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,' he prefaced.
'So, there's two cartons of beer for anyone who gives me info to find this thing,' he announced.
The council's confirmation that the statue had not been removed for maintenance only deepened the mystery.
The theft of a large object was no mean feat, suggesting that those responsible were determined and even organised.
As the story unfolds, the community hopes for the return of their sunbathing sentinel.
Atkinson's beer offering might seem lighthearted, but it spoke of camaraderie and the value placed on local landmarks.
So, if you find yourself on the Gold Coast, keep your eyes peeled—not just for The Sun Spirit, but for the sense of community that shines just as brightly.
What do you think of this unconventional approach to recovering a local treasure? Share your thoughts and any similar experiences in the comments section below!
More than these communities, the cyclone also affected some of the most iconic spots in the area.
A local fixture has gone missing from the charming coasts of Currumbin Beach, and the search is on to bring it back to its rightful place.
Sunrise reporter Georgia Costi has been well-versed in the unpredictable nature of live television.
However, she found herself in the midst of this unusual story.
The Sun Spirit is a bronze depiction of a bikini-clad woman soaking up the sun's rays and has been more than just a statue since its installation in 2006.
Georgia Costi sat down with local Nick Atkinson to talk about The Sun Spirit. Image Credit: Sunrise
Purchased for $20,000 and standing at 1.6 metres tall, the artwork by Frank Miles has become an iconic part of the Gold Coast's cultural tapestry.
However, the beloved statue in the area has vanished.
While locals thought that it was a precaution to remove the statue during a tropical cyclone, the Gold Coast council announced that it was most likely stolen.
Georgia Costi underscored the statue's significance to the community.
'If you've walked along Currumbin Beach in the last 20 or so years, there is a good chance you will know the statue we have been talking about,' Costi said.
'It's a real photo opportunity. Everyone who walks along here stops and takes a picture. No one knows where she is.'
Later on, Georgia Costi struggled to maintain her composure as a Currumbin local made an unconventional offer in exchange for the statue.
Enter Nick Atkinson, whose attachment to the statue spurred him to action.
In his interview with Costi, Atkinson expressed the collective disappointment of the community.
'It's unreal. Everyone's devo,' Atkinson stated, echoing the locals' devastation.
'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,' Atkinson added with determination.
His determination was matched by his creativity in offering a reward.
'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,' he prefaced.
'So, there's two cartons of beer for anyone who gives me info to find this thing,' he announced.
The council's confirmation that the statue had not been removed for maintenance only deepened the mystery.
The theft of a large object was no mean feat, suggesting that those responsible were determined and even organised.
As the story unfolds, the community hopes for the return of their sunbathing sentinel.
Atkinson's beer offering might seem lighthearted, but it spoke of camaraderie and the value placed on local landmarks.
So, if you find yourself on the Gold Coast, keep your eyes peeled—not just for The Sun Spirit, but for the sense of community that shines just as brightly.
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