Matey the Dog

Matey the Dog is a statue in Cavill Park, representing ‘Matey’, a homeless kelpie bitzer which first appeared on Cavill Avenue in 1945 as World War II ended. He was befriended by the locals and soon took up residence outside Jim Cavill’s Surfers Paradise Hotel where he would greet patrons each day.Matey also took it upon himself to accompany patrons as they walked home after a long night at the hotel. He would then return to the hotel ready to get his next charge home safely.When Matey died in 1957 his statue was erected by residents and features a plaque which declares Matey to be “friend to thousands of tourists of Surfers Paradise for 12 years”. Thus his effigy continues to stand watch over Surfers Paradise revellers more than 50 years after his death.