During peak hour, standing in Queen Victoria Building plaza – the square facing Town Hall on the corner of George and Druitt streets – is a sensory experience. Office workers on their way home stream past on autopilot, expertly dodging out-of-town visitors trying to get a picture of the building’s golden façade. Sounds are coming from all directions: the clamour of the trams careening past, buskers singing on the sidewalk, and footsteps hitting the pavement.

You’d be forgiven for missing it, but if you listen closely enough, you can hear the sound of a dog barking, before – in a polite English accent – he begins his speech: “Hello, my name is Islay. I was once the companion of the great Queen Victoria. Because of the many good deeds I have done for deaf and blind children, I have been given the power of speech. If you cast a coin into the wishing well now, I will say thank you… Thank you. Woof, woof.”

The spiel, which runs every 40 seconds, comes from a 60-centimetre bronze statue of Queen Victoria's favourite pet, a Cairn terrier named Islay. In 1987 Sydney sculptor Justin Robson modelled the bronze work from an 1843 sketch by the Queen herself. The statue sits above a sandstone wishing well, which also features a poem telling Islay’s story, translated into Braille, together with four proverbs highlighting the morality of giving, in six different languages. A special piece of stone from the legendary Blarney Castle in Ireland adds to the well’s charm.

Since 1998, the recorded message has been played at regular intervals. Voiced by local radio personality John Laws, it expresses gratitude for donations and features two playful barks, also by Laws. This modern touch complements the historical charm of Islay's statue, ensuring that the faithful terrier continues to greet and thank visitors, keeping alive his legacy of kindness and loyalty.

The charity benefiting from this endearing bronze tribute is NextSense, formerly known as the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. Founded in 1922, NextSense is dedicated to enriching the lives of children with sensory impairments by providing essential support, services, and educational resources. Islay’s statue has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars through generous gold-coin donations.

So, the next time you find yourself passing by, take a moment to stop and listen to Islay’s charming speech. Toss a coin into the wishing well and pay homage to this little terrier who has become a treasured part of our city’s landscape.