The local government area of the City of Melville has proposed the installation of a permanent statue in honour of Bon Scott, who spent part of his youth in the area.

During its July Ordinary Meeting of Council, members acknowledged the cultural significance of the legendary AC/DC singer, who not only spent some of his youth in the City of Melville but was also buried at the Fremantle Cemetery, Palmyra, in 1980.

Plus, the local Canning Highway, packed with pubs such as Raffles and Leopold Hotel, was the physical inspiration for the classic tune Highway To Hell.

Soon, the City of Melville will open investigations into the costs and requirements of establishing a permanent civic tribute to Bon Scott—whether it’s naming a park, creating a performance space, or commissioning public artwork. 

In a statement, City of Melville Deputy Mayor Karen Wheatland acknowledged Bon Scott and AC/DC’s cultural significance to the local area, as well as shared pleasure at honouring the frontman where he spent some of his youth.

“I was very pleased to be the mover of this motion to honour Bon Scott’s connection to the City of Melville, specifically Palmyra, and celebrate this famous local cultural identity,” Deputy Mayor Wheatland said.

“The story of Bon Scott and AC/DC is a huge part of our unique shared story and local history. The Raffles Hotel, where Bon and AC/DC performed many legendary gigs, is right here in Melville.”

Deputy Mayor Wheatland added, “Bon Scott is one of Australia’s most iconic cultural figures and his connection to Palmyra forms part of the rich musical and social history of the City of Melville.

“The City of Melville has a unique opportunity to honour his legacy and celebrate creative and cultural expression through community-led storytelling, and I’m excited to see what opportunities might arise through these investigations.

“We also warmly welcome AC/DC to the City of Melville to reconnect with Bon’s home community, when the band visits Perth in December 2025… and the City of Melville would love to say, ‘We know you are still rocking, and we want to salute you!’”

The City plans to contact AC/DC’s representatives and formally invite the band and/or their management to visit Melville ahead of their massive Australian tour.

In 2020, the City of Melville hosted the popular Highway To Hell event, which saw 10 km of the Canning Highway—from Canning Bridge to Fremantle Traffic Bridge—transformed into a massive stage for AC/DC fans in honour of Bon Scott.

To achieve this, the City teamed up with Perth Festival, the City of Fremantle, and the Town of East Fremantle to present the Highway To Hell event.