While many may think she is there for fun with constant changes to her outfits and positioning, Dolly has another purpose.
She has been strategically placed to try and deter pigeons.
‘‘She’s becoming a Napier St landmark which was not my original intention,’’ said the owner, who asked not to be named.
‘‘Pigeons are a big problem in the area surrounding the Federal Hotel so Karen Hayes - who was a hairdresser below the verandah - offered a mannequin she had out the back. The idea was to dress the mannequin and hopefully deter the pigeons. It seemed to work,’’ she said.
‘‘We called her Dolly for want of a name and her position and clothes are regularly changed to fool the pigeons into thinking she’s human.
‘‘We are often asked about her. Friends wave to her thinking it’s a person and then realise its Dolly.
‘‘She quite enjoys it I think. At least we have not heard her complaining, especially now that she’s rugged up for the cold weather.’’
Dolly has an extensive wardrobe to suit any occasion, including safety gear to overlook the Napier St works.
‘‘Now she’s supervising all the men working on the roadworks in Napier St at the suggestion of Judy Bond and some of her friends. They suggested she have a sign, a safety helmet and high visibility vest, so Lindsay Renwick loaned Dolly his hat and vest until she got her own from the Salvos.
‘‘The Ute Muster was about to start when we first put her there and Karen had a pink cowboy hat, so we dressed her as a cowgirl to begin with. Karen also had a Santa suit and the next occasion was Christmas and so a custom of dressing her to suit occasions was started.
‘‘She has collected quite an extensive wardrobe of clothes and wigs as well and the pigeons are no longer such a major problem, so it’s a win:win.’’
12°C