Gundagai is gearing up for a party to welcome back its much-loved Dog on the Tuckerbox statue.
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The famous monument at Snake Gully, on the edge of the NSW Riverina town, has been at the Australian National University in Canberra getting patched up after it was vandalised at the end of July.
The dog's ear was broken off and its nose was damaged when it was toppled from its base.
The patched-up statue will be unveiled at a party on Saturday with Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack expected to attend.
Local mayor Abb McAlister said a big crowd is expected from 9am to welcome home a mate.
"He's just a real mate and always has been to the community and to everyone in Australia," he told AAP.
There will be live music, rides and market stalls to celebrate the return of the icon, the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council mayor said.
ANU sculptor Nick Stranks was tasked with repairing the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue, which weighs more than 200 kilograms.
The tourist attraction was erected in 1932 as a memorial to Australian pioneers.
A 28-year-old Wagga Wagga man has been charged with damaging property over the late July incident. He's due to appear in court in mid-September.
Australian Associated Press
