How 100 animal statues found their way into a Greensborough garden
Forget heading to the zoo — this Melbourne house is filled with giraffes, hippopotamuses, monkeys, elephants, meerkats, Tasmanian devils and wombats. Here’s where animal lovers can catch a glimpse of this peculiar suburban garden.
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An eccentric Greensborough woman has been collecting animal statues for more than 25 years, with all 100 of them finding a home in her front garden.
And their beady eyes are not hard to miss at her Punkerri Circuit house, nestled beneath 70 towering palm trees.
Homeowner Maxine Holmes, 73, said the grand display showcased her fierce love for animals and nature.
“I have loved animals since I was a child and now with how we are harming them and their environment, I want this to be a reminder that animals are very much a part of our world and we should respect them,” she said.
“The statues also help educate people, especially my 16 grandchildren — they love coming over and seeing them.”
And the garden is also a hit among neighbouring residents, with other grandparents often taking their grandchildren to see the quirky display at Ms Holmes’ house.
“Sometimes it’s quite funny because I hear the grandparents warning the grandchildren to behave or they’ll go home and they start to cry — the young ones love it,” she said.
Giraffes, hippopotamuses, monkeys, elephants, meerkats, Tasmanian devils, wombats and many more animals complete the prized collection.
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Ms Holmes said she bought the statues from markets and yard sales while touring country Victoria with her husband.
She said a life-size crocodile weighing about 80kg was the most difficult statue to bring home.
“I remember getting looks from all the drivers when we driving home with the croc,” Ms Holmes said.
“It’s so big it didn’t fit properly in the trailer, so the tail was hanging out the whole way home — it was a bit funny, but he’s one of our standouts.”