The tiny town of Narrawong was brought to a standstill when the mighty wooden ram that guards the town was callously decapitated in February.
For 15 years, the ram stood guard over Peter "Splinter" Bryant's property Yannarie in south-west Victoria, quickly becoming an iconic landmark for locals and travellers alike.
Mr Bryant said he was devastated when he discovered a group of chainsaw-wielding bandits had sliced the popular ram's head off in the dead of night.
"I was disgusted, the whole community was," he said.
"I had probably 30 phone calls in 24 hours just to find out what had happened."
The local newspaper dubbed the damage the "Narrawong Chainsaw Massacre", and local police quickly struck up an investigation into the criminal damage.
However, unlike the fictional massacre in Texas, Narrawong's version has a happy ending.
The enigmatic 'Chainsaw Kev'
The man behind the original ram statue is a mysterious figure known as Chainsaw Kev.
The artist, full name Kevin Gilders, has spent around four decades turning tree trunks into tremendous sculptures.
Mr Bryant tracked him down soon after the damage to tell him the news about the ram, and a plan was soon hatched.
"The fella was so upset, I just thought that's not right," Mr Gilders said.
He packed his tools and travelled from Melbourne to Narrawong, outside Portland, with a promise: to tackle the trouble head-on.
"I've been absolutely flabbergasted by the response to it," he said.
"To me it's not a big deal, we just fixed it up, but the community response to it has been astounding."
The fact Mr Gilders was just days away from his 83rd birthday didn't slow the artist's hard, according to Mr Bryant.
"It was incredible to watch, just amazing what he did with just one chunk of wood," he said.
"Tell you what, he enjoyed two or three stubbies that night."
If Mr Gilders has one regret, it's that his new-found internet fame might add to his workload.
"I just hope it doesn't generate more work — I don't want any more bloody work," he said.
"For the past 12 years I've been trying to retire, I've got too much to do. "
Social media frenzy
The new ram's head was installed the same night it was carved.
It immediately sent social media into a spin.
The new head has some hidden improvements — it's reinforced with steel poles, lest any more chainsaws are taken to the property illegally.
"I'm also going to install a flag pole with an Australian flag and a security camera up top," Mr Bryant said.
"That'll keep 'em on their toes."
Portland Police said the investigation into the criminal damage was ongoing.
