The black panther of Lancefield has been the stuff of legend (and slow news’ weeks) for decades.
So, understandably, residents were somewhat bemused when a larger-than-life sculpture mysteriously appeared on the High Street median strip overnight on October 23.
It’s understood the sculpture was left there the night before the much-loved monthly farmers market opened on Saturday morning.
An artist has yet to come forward to claim responsibility, and locals continue to speculate about who did it and why.
A single clue came in the form of a printed petition, stating: “The Panther has escaped the Lancefield bushfires … should the panther stay or go?”
The petition was placed under the doors of businesses, and also refers to another piece of public art erected at next door Romsey.
This, it points out, cost ratepayers $25,000, whereas the panther was a gift for Lancefield.
The district is one of several in Victoria where claims of big cat sightings have surfaced regularly over the years.
Some from Lancefield now think those responsible for their new town centrepiece are paying tribute to the black cat myth.
Staff at the Lancefield IGA supermarket had no idea who put it there, but they wanted it to stay.
The petition gained more than 150 signatures from the supermarket alone in support of keeping the metal beast.
Peter Quinn of Lancefield Neighbourhood House said he suspects the panther might be the work of “artists from up in the hills” looking to spread goodwill in the wake of last month’s bushfires.
Macedon Ranges councillor Henry McLaughlin said it remains to be seen whether the sculpture will stay or go.
