spitfires and snakes

I take my camera with me most places I go, and often find views or objects of interest around town that I want to take a snap of.

I can't believe how often I suddenly notice things that I've possibly often by-passed without consciously observing. I came across one such object today - a statue outside the St Kilda Town Hall in Carlisle St. It appears to be a man, supported by large snakes, reclining backwards over a classical building, whilst one of the snakes holds a small Spitfire aircraft in its coils, far above his head.

I don't dislike it... I just can't for the life of me figure out what it means or how it relates to St Kilda Town Hall.