Popular 50-year-old ‘Horsey’ statue missing from Dargie Court shops in Dallas

IT’S a funny looking statue that may have once held the bottoms of big Broadmeadows names like Eric Bana and Eddie McGuire. Now, it’s missing — and locals are heartbroken.

Anne Sash is leading the push to find Horsey. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

DALLAS shoppers have appealed for thieves who nabbed their beloved “horsey” to return the revered relic to its rightful home.

The concrete animal — known fondly as horsey but also thought to be a seal — has been a permanent feature of the Dargie Court shops since they were built in 1965, cementing a spot in the childhood memories of many surrounding residents.

But according to Dallas woman Anne Sash, the horse was stolen in April.

The precinct is currently undergoing a major revamp, with the feature temporarily removed by the council early last month to allow for works to take place.

Ms Sash said she had initially hoped horsey, who was slightly damaged during the works, had disappeared simply to have a “spit and polish and face reconstruction”, and has now called on whoever took the horse to “give him back to the good people of Dallas”.

“He’s the only relic of the old Dargie Court; the only thing that’s endured for 50 years,” she said.

“There would hardly be a bottom in Broadmeadows that hasn’t sat on there at some time.”

Hume’s city infrastructure director Peter Waite said they had planned to relocate horsey from its home near the post office to the northern entry of Dargie Court as part of the refurbishment.

Anne Sash with daughter Meredith and where Horsey used to live at the Dargie Court shops. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

He said it was impossible for workers to lift the solid concrete fixture, so a bobcat was used to move it to their contractor’s compound. It was stored there until it went missing, sometime between April 2 and 3.

A Facebook page set up by Ms Sash — “Hume Council please save Dargie Court’s Horsey” — has attracted about 70 members, who have posted photos and recollections of the cherished horse.

David Clarke said everyone recalled playing on it and trying to guess what it was.

“(One) thing we all agree on is it’s ... a big part of Dallas shops and should remain so,” he wrote.

For Broadmeadows man Brett Pearson, horsey represented “the memories of the place you grew up in.

“He (horsey) was ugly; he was small. You’d trip over him when you were drunk and walking through Dallas.

“If it’s an old school person who has actually stolen it ... Ultimately, put it back.”

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or council on 9205 2200.

Check out Horsey’s plight on our Facebook page