ADAM LINDSAY GORDON MEMORIAL
Glenelg Highway COLERAINE, Southern Grampians Shire
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The memorial to Adam Lindsay Gordon on the north side of the Glenelg Highway some two kilometres from the centre of Coleraine takes the form of a simple stone cairn. It is 3.3 metres high and 1.1 metres square at the base. A bronze plaque celebrates Gordon's reputation as a poet and a horseman and his connection with the famous Great Western Steeplechase, which crossed the Glenelg Highway in this location. The memorial was erected in 1950, and is clearly visible to vehicular traffic entering and exiting Coleraine. The designer of the monument is not known. It is in good condition and retains a very high degree of integrity.
How is it significant?
The memorial is of historical significance to the community of Coleraine and the Southern Grampians Shire.
Why is it significant?
The memorial is of historical significance as a monument to the important colonial figure, Adam Lindsay Gordon, one of Australia's most famous poets and horsemen. It has further significance as a marker of the course of the annual Great Western Steeplechase, an important colonial horse race. The memorial also has social historical significance as a reminder of the enthusiasm for racing among the affluent members of the growing township of Coleraine. Its prominent location is important as it represents the community's respect and affiliation with the famous poet and horseman Adam Lindsay Gordon; and the popularity of memorialising local heros in the mid twentieth century.
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ADAM LINDSAY GORDON MEMORIAL - Physical Conditions
The bronze plaque is slightly corroded, there is cracking in the western face of the cairn and the concrete base is badly cracked, but otherwise the memorial is in good condition and retains a very high degree of integrity.
ADAM LINDSAY GORDON MEMORIAL - Physical Description 1
The memorial is constructed from a local volcanic stone and takes the common form of a tapering cairn or crude obelisk which is 3.3m high and 1.1m square at the base. The stone is roughly faced and is dressed to a rock-face finish. A single pyramidal stone is set on the top to complete the cairn.
The text of the bronze plaque, in sans-serif capitals, reads "In memory of/Adam Lindsay Gordon/ the great Australian poet/who rode in the Great Western/Steeplechase, distance about four/miles, & crossed the road at this/point, first run in 1858./The great sportsman was a/contestant in this famous event/for five years, 1862-66./Concerning the race he wrote:/"On the fields of Coleraine there'll/be labour in vain/before the Great Western is ended./The nags will have toiled & the silks/will have soiled/and the rails will require to be mended."/Erected 1950.
The cairn is set on a low plinth of concrete and is surrounded by a concrete base at the corners of which are four concrete blocks. There are also timber posts painted white at each corner. The memorial is set within a row of Pinus radiata, probably planted at the time it was erected. The memorial is clearly viewed as vehicluar traffic travels on the Glenelg Highway, both exiting and entering the township of Coleraine. It's setting is also related to the site of the steeplechase which crossed the Glenelg Highway at this point.
ADAM LINDSAY GORDON MEMORIAL - Historical Australian Themes
THEME 8: Developing Australia's cultural life
8.1 Organising Recreation
8.1.1 Playing and watching organised sports
8.11 Making Australian Folklore
8.11.1 Celebrating folk heroes
ADAM LINDSAY GORDON MEMORIAL - Usage/Former Usage
Memorial
ADAM LINDSAY GORDON MEMORIAL - Integrity
High
ADAM LINDSAY GORDON MEMORIAL - Physical Description 2
Adam Lindsay Gordon
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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COLERAINE SHOWGROUNDSSouthern Grampians Shire
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COLERAINE RACECOURSESouthern Grampians Shire
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AVENUE OF HONOURSouthern Grampians Shire
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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'Aqua Profonda' sign wall sign, Fitzroy Swimming PoolYarra City H1687
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1 Campbell StreetYarra City
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