They’ve watched over the corner of Mountjoy Parade and Otway Street for almost three decades, but Lorne’s much-photographed “Two Fat Ladies” sculptures - Cora and Lynn - have deteriorated beyond repair and are set to be replaced with replicas.
What’s going on: The famous sculpture has been the focus of a new assessment and overview published by the Lorne Historical Society this month. The report noted prolonged UV exposure had caused chalking and cracking of the fibreglass surface, along with deterioration of the underlying materials.
The damage is creating structural failure and exposing the internal steel framework to rust and fatigue.
Construction, transport and installation of the new sculptures is expected to cost $80,000, with an estimated completion date of March 31 next year, dependent on funding.
The replacements: The new sculptures will keep the originals’ appearance and colours, but will use a bronze internal structure, a UV-resistant plastic outer layer and an automotive paint finish.
Local artist Graeme Wilkie, who created the original sculptures, is supervising the construction of the replacements in China, where the historical society notes production costs are expected to be substantially lower than in Australia.
The origins: Wilkie created the sculptures for the 1988 redevelopment of the former Cora Lynn Guesthouse into 26 privately owned units. The guesthouse, which had operated from 1925 to 1975, was owned by the same family until its redevelopment.
Peddle Thorp Architects managing director Peter Brooks wanted two sculptural bathers to complement the new bathing boxes at the rear of the development.
Image: Lorne Historical Society
Guesthouse history: According to the historical society, Cora Lynn opened at 22 Mountjoy Parade in the summer of 1925-26, at the height of Lorne’s guesthouse boom.
Percy William Hunt of Deans Marsh built the guesthouse, naming it after the family home which had been destroyed in a bushfire.
Timber for the main building and its bungalows arrived at Lorne Port aboard the ketch Erskine.
Percy and his wife Louisa Hunt ran the large timber guesthouse, which stood on an elevated site at the entrance to town, and it competed with the nearby Chalet and Erskine House, including on the cricket field. It took 40 guests in 1941 and 48 by 1961.