It started as a simple joke in the eyes of mayor Lola Cummins, but the plan has spiraled in to a full- blown plan after radio personality Ray Hadley proposed a statue of the “voice of rugby league” be erected.

The proposal came about after Cr Cummins called the Ray Hadley show to call for more Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival volunteer referees.

“They had just been carrying on about statues when they put me on (air),” she said.

“Someone said Ray Warren comes from Junee there should be a statue there.

“I thought it was all a send up.”

Not thinking much more of the conversation, she was contacted a few days later by Mr Hadley, who wanted to know where the statue could be placed.

Still believing it was all a joke, she mentioned a number of locations, including the Roundhouse Museum.

While pleased with the exposure the issue gave Junee, she said the statue idea had continued to grow.

“They had people calling up to donate for it ... it’s just gotten bigger than Ben Hur,” she said.

Since then Mr Warren contacted Cr Cummins highly embarrassed over the situation.

He reportedly told Cr Cummins while he was proud to say he was born in Junee he had not lived in town for five decades.