Summary

A continuation of the Ballarat War History Walk, this walk includes a stop at the National Ex-POW Memorial near Lake Wendouree to the Arch of Victory and the Garden of the Grieving Mother.

Description

This walk begins at the South Gardens, Lake Wendouree where you will find the National Ex-POW Memorial.

Built in 2004 and created by Peter Blizzard, the memorial honours the more than 36,000 Australian men and women who were held captive as prisoners by the enemy during the Boer War, World War 1, World War 2 and the Korean War.

Water springs from beneath the 'Lest We Forget' stone then flows down the wall into the narrow watercourse in front of the first group of names and into the reflective pool, then continues past the second group of names. Finally it disappears under the pathway, returning to its source under the 'Lest We Forget' stone to start the journey again. Water symbolizes the essential nature of man, sacrifice, suffering, spirituality, healing, cleansing, birth and re-birth.

In this memorial it forms a continuous cycle, binding all Australian Prisoners of War together for all time. The memorial is created from natural materials and is designed to be in harmony with the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and to create a sense of timeless, dignity and respect.

From here it's a short walk along Gillies Street on to Sturt Street. Once turning the corner you will see the Arch of Victory. A grand cement rendered masonry structure flanked by wide piers 20metres in width, spanning the roadway, and 18metres high. Crowned by the 'Rising Sun' symbol of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces beneath which the words 'Avenue of Honour and Victory' are written prominently across the arch.

The Arch marks the beginning of a 22 kilometre stretch of 3728 trees, each one a memorial to men and women in order of enlistment for World War 1.

On 2 June 1920, the Prince of Wales opened the Arch and was presented with a pair of silk pyjamas embroidered with Australian emblems. Each of the 500 'Lucas Girls' had put in a stitch.

Beside the Arch is the Garden of the Grieving Mother,. an acknowledgement of the trauma, grief and anxiety felt by the families of Australian servicemen and women. Of the 3,801 WWI service men and women commemorated in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour, 1 in 5 made the ultimate sacrifice.

At the centre of the memorial space is a bronze sculpture of a mother clutching a photograph of her son by sculptor Peter Corlett who has created many war memorial public artworks. The memorial was unveiled on 15 February 2017 by Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Mrs Kaye Baird, mother of posthumous Victoria Cross recipient, Corporal Cameron Baird.

Download the Public Art War History Train here or collect from the Ballarat Visitor Centre at the Ballarat Town Hall on Sturt Street.

For a longer walk see the Lake Wendouree Art walk.

949 Views

Points of Interest

1. National Ex-POW Memorial. (2004) Created by Peter Blizzaard

This memorial to Australian Prisoners of War is dedicated to more than 36,000 Australian men and women who were held captive as prisoners by the enemy during the Boer War, WW1, W W2 and the Korean War

2. Arch of Victory (1920) Sturt St/Avenue of Honour

The Arch marks the beginning of a 22 kilometre stretch of 3728 trees, each one a memorial to men and women in order of enlistment for World War 1.

3. Garden of the Grieving Mother (2017) Created by Peter Corlett, Learmonth St/Sturt St

The Garden of the Grieving Mother is an acknowledgement of the trauma, grief and anxiety felt by the families of Australian servicemen and women.

Features

Public Transport

Seating available

Public toilets

Historical interest

Local treasures

Art and culture

Lake, creek, river

Park / Garden