Ballarat Public Art Trail - Sturt Street

Ballarat Public Art Trail - Sturt Street created by City of Ballarat

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Summary

The City of Ballarat has a collection of over 120 works of Public Art. Sturt Street Ballarat is the central thoroughfare through Ballarat and where you can find many significant artworks.

Description

The Sturt Street Gardens are home to many of Ballarat's Public Art collection.
This walk begins in he gardens near the Ballarat Base Hospital and the Petersen Fountain. and ends in the centre of Ballarat with the James Galloway Monument.

Along the way discover 25 Public Art works created to celebrate important people through time and commemorate significant events in history.

Take a seat and enjoy the Sturt Street floral displays that are a highlight for visitors and locals all year round.

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Points of Interest

1. Petersen Fountain (1922)

This fountain was created as the result of a bequest from Ballarat businessman Carsten Heinrich Petersen who was killed at the age of eighty-five years when crossing Sturt Street.

2. George Devine Treloar (2019), Artist Lis Johnson.

George Treloar (1884 - 1980) was appointed as the League of Nations Commissioner for Refugees in Greece in 1922 where he worked to provide food & aid to over 100,000 refugees from the Ottoman Empire

3. Mother Earth (1952), Artist George Allan

A moving tribute to nature’s gifts of mining and agriculture by recognised modernist sculptor George Allan. Commissioned by Frank Pinkerton, the work is made from Hawkesbury freestone and granite.

4. Gordon Memorial (1969). Artist Raymond B. Ewers.

The bronze statue of a horse commemorates poet and horseman Adam Lindsay Gordon and the horses and mules killed during WWI. During WWII the artist, Raymond Ewers was made an official war artist.

5. Cenotaph (1949). Architect John B Shimmin

The Ballarat Cenotaph commemorates those who died in service or were killed in action in WWI and WWI. The cenotaph was unveiled by the Governor, Sir Dallas Brooks on the 24th November 1949.

6. Eternal flame (1995), Sculptor Peter Blizzard

Created as a marker of the end of WWII in the Pacific . Engraved into the bluestone shaped tile across the base of the statue is details about conflict areas where Australian Troops were active.

7. Peter Lalor (1883), Artist Thomas Nelson McLean

Said to be a striking likeness of Lalor who is remembered as the leader of the Eureka Rebellion. The four bronze relief panels depict major events in Lalor`s life, including being in Parliament.

8. Lest We Forget. Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam Memorial (2000)

Marking the sacrifices of Australian forces involved in the conflicts of Sth East Asia including the Korean War 1950-53, the Malayan Emergency 1950-60, the Borneo Uprising 1962-64 & Vietnam 1962-72

9. Queen Alexandra Bandstand (1908)

The heritage-listed Queen Alexandra Bandstand was the first of two bandstands to be erected in Ballarat. Music motifs can be found throughout its fine wrought iron lacework. T

10. Albert Coates (2012), Artist Louis Laumen

Leading surgeon and academic Sir Albert Coates (1895-1977) is one of Ballarat's most celebrated sons. A medical orderly during WWI, he returned home to become a pioneering neurosurgeon.

11. Harold Pompey Elliot (2011), Artist Louis Laumen

Harold Edward 'Pompey' Elliot was first and foremost a soldier. Schooled in Ballarat, he spoke often of his love of battle, and the sheer beauty of the fighting troops.

12. William Dunstan VC Memorial (1995)

The Dunstan Memorial is in memory of Ballarat born soldier, William Dunstan, who served with honour in Gallipoli. His unit successfully defended a post despite being seriously wounded.

13. King George V Monument (1938), Artist Victor Greenhalgh

This bronze sculpture, cast in bronze in Italy, of King George V was created to commemorate the King’s 25th year on the throne. It shows the King wearing the full robes of the Order of the Garter.

14. Hebe (1899) Artist Charles Summers

Hebe, Greek Goddess of Youth was the gift of wealthy local benefactor John Permewan, who owned carrier firm Permewan & Wright. He commissioned Charles Summers to sculpt the iconic women figure.

15. Ruth (1899), Artist Charles Summer

Biblical figure Ruth, along with Hebe, was the gift of wealthy local benefactor John Permewan, who commissioned Charles Summer to sculpt the iconic women.

16. Thomas Moore (1889), Artist John Udny

Irish poet and balladeer Thomas Moore was best-known for penning The Minstrel Boy and The Last Rose of Summer.

17. Queen Victoria (1897), Artist Sir Bertram MacKennal

Featuring four bronze scenes from her remarkable life; accession to the throne, her coronation, diamond jubilee and signing the Australian constitution. MacKennal was the first Australian knighted.

18. Queen Victoria Fountain (1902)

Ballarat’s Women’s Christian Temperance Union paid tribute with the Queen Victoria Fountain. This much-loved fountain, with its marble children on a polished granite, was restored in 1976.

19. Boer War Memorial (1906), Artist James White

Created by sculptor James White in honour of Australian Soldiers who fought in the South African War (1899-1902). White used the electrolytic copper deposit which can be mistaken for bronze.

20. Burke and Wills Fountain (1867)

A memorial to the famous explorers, Ballarat son Robert O’Hara Burke and his good mate William John Wills. Featuring the the names of those who assisted their ill-fated crossing of Australia.

21. Robert Burns , Artist John Udy

This is Australia’s first monument to the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns and his dog. It was carved from marble in Italy by sculptor John Udny and is inscribed with quotes from the writer himself.

22. Titanic Memorial Bandstand (1913)

A year after the Titanic sunk, Ballarat sought to honour the bandsmen who lost their lives in the shipwreck. Legend states, the band continued to play for terrified guests as the ship went down.

23. Point to Sky (1999), Artist Akio Makigawa

Completed posthumously, Point to Sky is one of Akio Makigawa’s last works. The top seed pod is gold, referencing Ballarat as the central gold rush town and the sun as the source of life.

24. The Pioneer Miner's Monument (1951), Artist, John Skilbeck (miniature poppet head creator)

Marking the very first finding of gold at Poverty Point in 1851. The quartz structure features a replica of the 62.8kg Welcome Nugget, the world’s largest at the time, found in Ballarat in 1858.

25. James Galloway (1880)

This quartz and bluestone monument pays tribute to James Galloway the founder of the the eight-hour day system that gave workers the right to stop work after 8 hours without any penalty.