WHEN Melitta Lee got married in 1993, her father made her a wedding cake so spectacular it gave rise to headlines.
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So, when Bill Chuter said he was making a gift for the fish and chip shop Ms Lee opened in Maldon earlier this year, she knew it would be big.
She just didn't know what it would be, right up until her father brought it to the restaurant last week.
Mr Chuter spent five weeks working on the seven-foot, 20-kilogram pacific blue marlin, which occupies one of the Maldon Takeaway's walls.
"I had to build the carcass out of steel completely," the Bendigo man said.
"Once that was done I had to encase it in chicken wire in order to stick all the paper mache on, then it was wrapped in multiple layers of paper mache, then over that a very thin coating of plaster."
The 70-year-old carried his creation into the store, draped in a big sheet, with the assistance of his daughter's partner.
"You should have seen them as we unveiled it," Mr Chuter said.
Ms Lee said her father's gift was a symbol of love and support.
The marlin reflected the nautical theme she was establishing in the store, which opened as COVID-19 restrictions were imposed in March.
"Settlement was actually the day the government shut everybody down in the first lockdown," Ms Lee said.
Maldon Takeaway opened later that day.
"We were so well supported, the locals were so happy to have a fish and chip shop again," Ms Lee said.
She thanked the community for its support during the pandemic, including an extremely busy Good Friday.
"There is so much soul in this town," Ms Lee said, crediting it with drawing her back to the area.
"I used to live not far from here and I absolutely love the town."
She said the fish and chip shop was closed for several months before she and her partner took ownership of the business.
Her children used to work there, back in the shop's former life.
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