The six-year-old Maremmas have served a key role in continuing success of the  internationally-acclaimed project which saved the colony from extinction after repeated attacks by predators.

Yesterday the sisters were guided through the Merri River mouth to the island where they will spend several days each week until March keeping foxes and stray dogs away during the penguin breeding season.

About 150 penguins are on the island with some chicks already hatched.

The next generation of  canine protectors will be purchased from a breeder and trained to take over next summer.

It’s been a success story admired around the world since wildlife officers and the city council boldy approved an experiment using a Maremma called Oddball and its companion, owned and trained by Illowa chook farmer Allan Swampy Marsh.

Other Maremmas followed before Eudy and Tula stepped into the scene. 

One will be kept on in retirement at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village as a mascot for tourists.

Visitor numbers are expected to soar after next year’s release of a major movie production called Oddball, a family comedy portraying how the Middle Island penguin project started.

The island is blocked off to general public access, but guided tours during summer provide a close-up of the dogs on patrol.

Flagstaff Hill manager Peter Abbott said tour bookings had opened early to give local residents a chance before the holiday visitor influx.