For more than a decade Monto's Lions Park has been home to the late 'Monto Marvel' Kenny Russell statue, created in honour of the jockey who was tragically killed at Rosehill Racecourse on 9 October, 1993 when his mount Tuig broke down and fell.

Following community requests to upgrade the deteriorating fibreglass statue, a new, life-sized bronze statue has been created thanks to funding from the Australian Government under the Stronger Communities Programme, a successful Regional Arts Development Fund bid by Monto Rotary Club, and North Burnett Regional Council.

Created by contemporary artists Gillie and Marc Schattner in close consultation with Ken's family, the bronze statue will be installed on the same footing in Lions Park, during the week of 22 July.

The existing statue will be carefully removed from Lions Park during the week of 8 July under the expert guidance of Queensland Museum Development Officer Lydia Egunnike.

At the request of Ken's family, the original statue will be relocated to Rockhampton Race Club, where Ken frequently raced in the early part of his career.

Ken's wife, Carol Russell, said Rockhampton was his second home, and was a fitting relocation for the existing statue.

"To prepare for the installation of the new bronze I offered Rockhampton Race Club the existing statue as I know how much the Club meant to Kenny and how much Kenny meant to the Club," Mrs Russell said.
 
The new bronze statue 'Monto Marvel - King of the Coast' will be formally unveiled to the public at a community event on Sunday, 31 July to coincide with the 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour of Monto and Eidsvold communities.

The 'Kenny Russel Memorial Statue Upgrade - Monto' project is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Stronger Communities Programme.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and North Burnett Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.