Famed sculptor Peter Corlett shares his vision: ‘I’d love to do a Dan Andrews statue’

A famous sculptor is offering to come out of retirement to make a bronze statue of Daniel Andrews, who on Monday marks his 3000th day as Premier.

Daniel Andrews has officially cemented his eligibility to become just the fifth Victorian premier immortalised in bronze.

Monday marks Andrews’ 3000th day in the top job – an impressive yet unexpected feat in the modern world of politics.

But the polarising Labor leader insists this will be just another day to “get things done”.

Andrews was eager last week to shut down any questions about whether he had any plans to celebrate his nine-year reign.

“You know what Monday is about? There is a cabinet meeting on Monday. That’s what I’ll be focused on,” he snapped at reporters.

Premier Daniel Andrews has notched up 3000 days in the top job. Picture Aaron Francis

And while Andrews insists Monday really will just be another day, there is a somewhat premature vision of his physical legacy that is being worked up.

A big grin and two fists in the air is how famed sculptor Peter Corlett plans to commemorate the 50-year-old in the form of a statue.

Mr Corlett said it was Andrews’ infamous victory pose after he secured a third consecutive election win last year that would best reflect the career politician.

If commissioned, Andrews would join former state premiers Sir Henry Bolte, John Cain Jr, Sir Rupert Hamer and Albert Dunstan outside Treasury Place.

Their one commonality? Each served 3000 days in office – a milestone highlighted by former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett.

Peter Corlett says his idea would be a statue of Daniel Andrews raising his fists in the air. Picture: Getty

Such an achievement deserved recognition through the artwork of a statue, Kennett decided.

Kennett – now a regular sparring partner with Andrews – commissioned Mr Corlett to produce the quartet of statues in 1999.

Nearly 25 years later, Mr Corlett has vowed to exit his semi-retirement if he gets a call from the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

But he acknowledges it could be a while before he can start chiselling, with any official request likely to come from Andrews’ successor.

“I would be very happy to be part of any such commission were it to take place,” Mr Corlett told the Herald Sun from his Fitzroy North studio. “I’d love to do a Dan Andrews statue.”

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Mr Corlett said he had heard unofficially that Andrews was not keen on a statue, but hoped he would change his mind.

The Premier said on Sunday he had no plans to accept the offer of a statue on his 3000th day in office, instead deferring the decision to the state’s next leader.

“Before you ask me what I’m doing tomorrow, let me tell you – there’ll be a cabinet meeting and it’ll be a day of hard work, like every day is,” Andrews said.

“It’s a matter for the 49th premier – the next premier will deal with those matters, whenever that might be.”

Andrews reiterated he was committed to serving a full term as leader of Victoria.

“I’m very focused on delivering for these next four years. That’s what we’ve been elected to do.”