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Ararat Boer War Memorial Fountain
Barkly Street ARARAT, ARARAT RURAL CITY

All information on this page is maintained by Vic. War Heritage Inventory. Click below for their website and contact details.
Vic. War Heritage Inventory
Arar 14.jpg
Arar 14.jpg
Arar 14.jpg
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Statement of Significance

The Ararat Boer War Memorial is located in front of the John Fox Gardens and the Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Western Highway. Established in 1905, the fountain was initially planned to mark Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, but Cr Hargreaves suggested that it should also commemorate those of Ararat's volunteers 'who sleep in the war-scarred veldts of South Africa'. Ararat had sent twenty-one volunteers and those who survived received gold medals from fellow citizens. Empire patriotism was strong. When the mayor interrupted the formal opening ceremony for the new Town Ball in 1899 to read out a telegram giving news of a British victory in the Transvaal, the audience cheered and spontaneously broke into 'Rule Brittania'. The fountain was apparently obtained ready made. Hargreaves informed his fellow councillors that he had obtained the design from a Melbourne firm and tabled a photograph showing the kind of fountain which could be obtained for between 100 and 125 pounds. The modellers were Wardrop and Scurry of North Melbourne.

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    • Physical Conditions

      Ararat Boer War Memorial Fountain - Physical Conditions

      The fountain is in fair condition.

      Integrity

      Ararat Boer War Memorial Fountain - Integrity

      The fountain has excellent integrity. Itis largely intact and is missing only a few details and elements. It is not functioning and the pond is empty.

      Physical Description 1

      Ararat Boer War Memorial Fountain - Physical Description 1

      The fountain is a conventional design with four equal aspects, guarded by winged lions, decorated by monstrous fish and surmounted by an arched structure and a large flat dish. The whole appears to be made from pressed cement which has been painted. The modellers' names appear in plaques on each arm. Other plaques commemorate the late Queen and the Boer War. The fountain is sited in a circular pool on axis with the facade of the Town Hall.

      Notable features - overall form and detail.

      Veterans Description for Public

      Ararat Boer War Memorial Fountain - Veterans Description for Public

      The Ararat Boer War Memorial fountain is located in front of the John Fox Gardens and the Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Western Highway. It is a conventional design with four equal aspects, guarded by winged lions, decorated by monstrous fish and surmounted by an arched structure and a large flat dish. The whole appears to be made from pressed cement which has been painted. The modellers' names appear in plaques on each arm. Other plaques commemorate the late Queen and the Boer War.

      Established in 1905, the fountain was initially planned to mark Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, but Cr Hargreaves suggested that it should also commemorate those of Ararat's volunteers 'who sleep in the war-scarred veldts of South Africa'. Ararat had sent twenty-one volunteers and those who survived received gold medals from fellow citizens. Empire patriotism was strong. When the mayor interrupted the formal opening ceremony for the new Town Ball in 1899 to read out a telegram giving news of a British victory in the Transvaal, the audience cheered and spontaneously broke into 'Rule Brittania'. The fountain was apparently obtained ready made. Hargreaves informed his fellow councillors that he had obtained the design from a Melbourne firm and tabled a photograph showing the kind of fountain which could be obtained for between £100 -£125. The modellers were Wardrop and Scurry of North Melbourne.

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Ararat Rural - Ararat Heritage Study

      Author: Timothy Hubbard & Dr Margaret Pawsey
      Year: 1994
      Grading:

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