Geelong legend Frank Costa immortalised with bronze sculpture

Geelong legend Frank Costa has been immortalised through a bronze sculpture.

Joel Selwood and Robert Costa unveil the Frank Costa statue in Moorabool St. Picture: Alison Wynd

A statue celebrating the life and achievements of Frank Costa has been unveiled at the corner of Ryrie and Moorabool streets.

The Newsboy sculpture, funded by the City of Greater Geelong, the Costa family, developer Rory Costelloe and the Geelong Cats, recognises the many roles Mr Costa played in the community.

Mr Costa, who died on May 2, 2021, was known as a generous philanthropist, passionate Geelong Football Club president, well-known businessman and fierce advocate for the Geelong region.

Accomplished Australian artist and sculptor Louis Laumen spent six months in the studio and foundry carefully crafting the bronze statue through the process of lost wax casting.

The sculpture, unveiled on Wednesday, depicts Mr Costa as a 13-year-old newsboy outside the T&G Building, where he sold newspapers.

Mr Laumen said the sculpture celebrated Mr Costa’s lifelong dedication to the Cats and role as president from 1998-2010; his strong work ethic and his family’s greengrocer business which grew into the highly successful Costa Group.

The newspaper being held aloft in the sculpture details how more than 85,000 people watched the Cats claim its fourth premiership in 1951 by 11 points amid police clashes with up to 8000 people locked out of the MCG.

Joel Selwood, Mayor Trent Sullivan and and Robert Costa at the unveiling of the Frank Costa statue in Moorabool St. Picture: Alison Wynd

Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said Mr Costa was a Geelong “legend” who deserved to be celebrated.

“Frank’s passing two years ago remains a massive loss to our community because of his incredible advocacy and contributions to make our region the best it can be,” Mr Sullivan said.

Mr Costa’s daughter, Gillian Costa, said she was honoured and humbled to be involved with such a significant piece of both family and Geelong history.

“The T&G corner is where Dad began his entrepreneurial journey, so this statue is not only a lovely way to remember him and the big part he played in Geelong as an employer, visionary and champion of growth, it also illustrates a moment of Geelong’s past in such a lovely way that residents and visitors alike can relate to and enjoy,” she said.

Former Geelong Football Club captain Joel Selwood said he was excited to see the project come to life.

“Frank would light up a room when he walked in, and this sculpture is a nice reminder for the entire community of just how impactful Frank was,” he said.

Mr Laumen spent three months in the studio and three months in the foundry getting the statue just right.

“The statue had gone through several different metamorphosises, from a concept and maquette to a full-size clay statue, wax cast and then a hollow cast in bronze,” he said.

The celebrated sculptor has completed many commissions across Australia, such as the Dennis Lillee statue at the MCG and Nicky Winmar at Optus Stadium.

The cost to fabricate and install the memorial was $100,000.

Originally published as Geelong legend Frank Costa immortalised with bronze sculpture