BY SEB COSTELLO for the HERALD SUN
MELBOURNE, VIC. — Supporters of the late, beloved Melbourne priest Father Bob McGuire have put forward his name as the ideal candidate to replace the cancelled statue of former Victorian premier Dan Andrews.
Former Melbourne councillor Beverly Pinder OAM, a former patron of the Father Bob Foundation, has been spearheading a plan for the “Larrikin Priest” to be immortalised in bronze.
“Premier Ben Carroll says he’s looking for another statue to replace the one that was to be made of Daniel Andrews. I can think of no better candidate than Father Bob,” Ms Pinder said.
“I think a statue of Father Bob would remind us all of the importance of charity and would lead to more donations for those in need.
“Father Bob Maguire set a wonderful example for all Victorians. I think a statue would remind us to practice the principles Father Bob stood for, like service, compassion and understanding.”
The Herald Sun revealed last month that Mr Andrews had “posed up” for his statue after it was signed-off by successor Jacinta Allan.
Mr Andrews qualified for a statue under an initiative established by former Premier Jeff Kennett that any premier serving more than 3000 days should be immortalised in bronze.
But a poll this year found 74 per cent of Victorians opposed the state spending taxpayer cash on a statue for Mr Andrews, with Premier Ben Carroll cancelling the project in August, in one of his first acts after Ms Allan was ousted.
Mr Carroll denied reports from Labor sources that the Dan statue was “basically done”, but admitted “some design work” had taken place and $134,000 would be paid to Fitzroy-based Meridian Sculpture for that project.
“We will fulfil that contract, but it (a new sculpture) will be of something else,” Mr Carroll said.
He also announced that he would assemble an advisory group to recommend a new statue subject.
Ms Pinder is determined to immortalise Father Bob regardless of whether Mr Carroll backs the project.
“Father Bob was a dear friend and spiritual mentor. I think he would have been delighted to be recognised with a statue,” she said.
She has secured private funding, is supported by influential Port Phillip councillor Serge Thomann, and says the proposal is ready to go.
“I located a spot opposite Tobruk House in Albert Park. As a former army chaplain, Father Bob had such a reverence for the diggers. It’s perfect,” Ms Pinder said.
Comedian and filmmaker John Safran, who shared the airwaves with Father Bob on television and radio, joked: “I think Bob should get a statue but only if I get to sculpt it.
“I appreciate I’m a novice but I will seek advice from sculptor friends of mine and YouTube tutorials.”
Father Bob’s niece Peta Knights is less supportive of the plan, saying any proposed investment in the statue would have more impact if it went to his foundation.
“It’s a lot of money. The money could go to a better cause,” Ms Knights, the daughter of Father Bob’s sister Eileen, said.
“As far as we’re concerned, Bob’s legacy was his foundation.”
And Melbourne Archbishop Peter Commensoli – who Ms Pinder met with in October 2025 to seek his approval – said the church had a policy of not recognising priests in statue-form until at least 50 years after their passing.
A statue could however go ahead without the approval of the diocese or Ms Knights.
Father Bob served the community of South Melbourne as a catholic priest and social worker for decades.
He was honoured with a state funeral after his death in April 2023.
The Father Bob Foundation continues to operate in his honour and runs a food relief community pantry in South Melbourne.
“Bob can be statue with soul,” Costello, Seb., Herald Sun, Friday, October 30, 2026, p.4.
