A Gold Coast man has offered two cases of beer for information relating to the disappearance of an iconic beachside statue.
Currumbin Beach locals were left puzzled to find the 100kg bronze statue, the Sun Spirit, had disappeared overnight without a trace on Tuesday.
A police investigation into the missing statue has been launched, with state detectives joining forces with Coolangatta police.
Local Nick Atkinson was shocked to hear about the suspected theft and decided to offer a prize for any information about the Sun Spirits whereabouts.
Unreal. Everyones devo, Mr Atkinson told Channel Sevens Sunrise.
It would have been a significant effort, just picking it up... even grinding it. Someone must have seen something. I feel like the sparks and sound, someone knows something about where this [statue] is and Im going to find it today.
Ive got a carton of beer on offer and a sponsor has just come in and said theyre going to throw in another one.
So theres two cartons of beer for anyone who gives me info to find this thing.
Local man Nick Atkinson (right) told Sunrise he would offer a carton of beer for information
The Sun Spirit statue has been a local favourite since it was acquired from a local artist
Sun Spirit was acquired by the Gold Coast City Council for $20,000 after local bronze sculpturist Frank Miles 2006 art festival.
Mr Miles said he was absolutely devastated by the loss of the statue which he modelled on his daughter Bronwyn.
A senseless act perpetrated by individuals with no social conscience. No idea how art enriches the viewer, he posted to his Facebook profile on Monday.
I feel like I have lost a dear family member.
The search for the life-sized bronze statute was initiated when a local took to a community Facebook page to ask: What happened to our Sun Spirit?
When news first broke of the disappearance, locals questioned if the statue had been swept away by ex-Cyclone Alfred or else removed before it made landfall.
Councillor Gail ONeill took to social media on Monday to clear up the confusion, noting the statue had been inspected for damage after the wild weather event.
The statue which has been looking over the beach for over 20 years was inspected after Cyclone Alfred and was found to have survived without any damage so to now see her gone is absolutely devastating, Ms ONeill said.
Local artist Frank Miles is pictured beside the beloved sculpture which he created in 2006
I would hope that whoever has stolen her will do the right thing and return her to her rightful home so everyone can continue to enjoy her.
And its not the first time Mr Miles public art has been stolen.
His sculpture of Centennial medal winner and Playroom night club owner Beryl Carnell was stolen from the shores of Currumbin Creek in 2021.
It was then sold for $200 to a scrap metal dealer before police were able to recover the statue in terrible condition.
Sun Spirit will probably be cut up and sold as scrap metal to some unscrupulous dealer, Mr Miles told the Herald Sun.
The theft that is happening these days is terrible and it seems nothing is sacred or safe. It doesnt matter how secure it is, if someone is determined enough, they will steal it.
A Queensland Police spokesperson said: Gold Coast police are aware of reports regarding the missing Sun Spirit statue from Currumbin Beach.
A crew from Coolangatta, with the assistance of detectives from the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), has been tasked with investigating the matter.
Investigations are continuing.