A Fletcher Jones feature is set to become a world-first.
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When Plus 8 Man is reproduced and returned to the iconic Pleasant Hill garden in Warrnambool next month, he will become the first of his kind in the world.
Plus 8 Man, named after the popular Plus 8 trousers sold by the Warrnambool tailor, is one of the sculptures that used to hang in the Fletcher Jones gardens in the 1940s.
The original statue, state heritage listed in 2006, will be rebuilt using acrylic polymer.
Project coordinator Julie Eagles said the 3D technology would bring the old statue back to life with accuracy.
“He was in such poor condition that he could not be repaired,” she said.
“When we discovered several of the men on a former Fletcher Jones store at Queen and Flinders Streets in Melbourne we contacted the developers to see if we could scan one of them as they appear to have come from the same mould as the one that used to hang in the FJ gardens.
“This was successfully done with enthusiastic support from the developers earlier this year just as the development of a 24-storey hotel on the site in Melbourne began.”
Ms Eagles said there were more future plans for the Plus 8 man.
“We want him to light up and be a special element in the FJ gardens,” she said.
“We are now also looking to try and reproduce the lettering as well.”
As a member of the self-appointed caretakers of the Fletcher Jones garden and keen historian, Ms Eagles urged community members to join the project by attending a working bee at the site on Saturday.
“We want him there before Christmas,” she said. “And to do this our local engineer Travis Greening needs our help getting the structure ready for him.
“Bring some gloves and come along, everyone’s welcome.”
The working bee will be held at the Fletcher Jones garden from 10.30am on Saturday.
Related: Restoration of a Fletcher Jones icon
