Why do some people love fancy gates?

Drumcondra is a suburb in Geelong, nicely situated overlooking Corio Bay from the western side. Houses are mostly well-cared for and larger than those in meeker locations like us in Newcomb. Price-range would be $600,000 to $1 million perhaps. Some have fancy fences and gateways. Why have statues of lions at the gatepost I wonder?
W