The City of Ballarat is working to conserve its public art collection with a program of works rolling out in the coming weeks to repair some of the city's most iconic sculptures and fountains.
Peterson Fountain
Conservation to the iconic Peterson Fountain is underway, with works to enhance its aesthetic appeal through essential repairs. This includes surface cleaning, iron stain reduction, and the consolidation of deteriorating stone.
Located opposite the Ballarat Base Hospital on Sturt Street, the Peterson Fountain is known for its birds, frogs and flowers. Lost stone beaks on some of the featured birds will be fixed, and copper alloy elements will be cleaned and protected.
It is anticipated these works will be completed by the end of June.
Through investigations made in this project, the City of Ballarat has identified that ongoing repairs will be required to restore the fountain's hydraulic system. Due to the complexity, cost and size of this work, the hydraulic system will be restored at a later date.
Queen Victoria Memorial Statue
Works to restore the Queen Victoria Memorial Statue, located in front of Ballarat Town Hall in Sturt Street, will begin in the coming days.
The project will restore the statue's artistic integrity through comprehensive cleaning, laser treatments, and repairs to the figure's left hand.
The restoration team will also consolidate cracks, fill losses, repaint stone, and address iron staining. Bronze panels will be cleaned and waxed, and the winged figure will be regilded.
Boer War Memorial
The Boer War Memorial has been removed from its plinth to be recast in bronze. The deaccessioned work was often mistaken for bronze, however the original work was deteriorating and required replacement.
The newly cast bronze sculpture will be returning to its Sturt Street position in May 2025. This work received a much-needed contribution from the State Government's Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour fund operated by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Prime Minister's Avenue updates
The City of Ballarat's Public Art team is working to re-cast two Prime Minister's busts that were stolen from the Ballarat Botanical Gardens on 23 January. With support from the original sculptor, works to recast the bust using studio copies from the original sculptor and moulds has begun.
Additionally, onsite works to repair damaged busts is underway now. This will involve structural welding work on some of the busts.
The paint damage and graffiti has already been removed from other targeted busts, along with two of the Stoddart Collection marble statues that sustained paint damage. All of these are now back on public display.
The City of Ballarat strongly condemns graffiti and vandalism of any kind. This type of senseless damage is completely unacceptable.
