The CY O’Connor statue outside the Fremantle Ports building is getting a makeover, starting at the head and working down.

Workers exploited a break in the weather to clean the 40m bronze by Pietro Porcelli, originally unveiled in 1911 in front of the nearby Fremantle Harbour Trust offices. In 1920 it was relocated to the migrant and immigration office and information bureau before being returned 54 years later.

Porcelli depicts the harbour engineer in a thinking stance, his finger to his chin, and a plan concealed in his other hand. After its unveiling Sir John Forrest was quoted saying it was a, “thinking in bronze”.