Works are well underway on a like-for-like replacement of one of the iconic statues in Ballarat.
The Boer War Memorial Statue was removed from the Sturt Street Gardens in October 2024 for a replacement statue to be made.
Although the public art has been carefully taken care of for more than 117 years, it was last removed from Sturt Street for a full restoration in 1984. Additional remedial works were also carried out on site in 2020.
Recent radiographic surveys and videoscope investigations revealed extensive and severe corrosion in critical locations and it was deemed the statue was beyond repair.
Often mistaken for being made of bronze, the imposing sculpture is constructed from beaten copper with a hessian and plaster core. This form of work is less resilient than bronze work.
The like-for-like replacement is being created at Meridian Sculpture, who are experts in statue moulds, casting, repairs and restorations of bronze sculptures.
They will segment the statue into workable pieces to create clay, wax and silicon mounds to ensure all details are captured.
After this is completed, the sculpture will be cased in bronze using the "lost wax technique" followed by colouring and UV resistant coating being applied. It will then be returned to its plinth in the Sturt Street Gardens.
The statue depicts a soldier on horseback rescuing a fellow soldier and is about three-quarter life size.
The removal in October required a specialised contractor to cut and safely lift the statue into a custom crate for transportation.
The memorial is an important piece of public art and commemoration for people in Ballarat, who served in the Boer War from 1899 to 1902 and are listed on the Victorian War Heritage Inventory.
The new statue will be made of bronze, which will make it sturdier and will appear almost identical to the original.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the replacement was necessary to ensure the important statue remained in place for future generations.
"The striking memorial has had pride of place in the heart of Sturt Street and is important to commemorate the war in a public art piece," she said.
"We are proud to be working with Meridian Sculpture to deliver a like-for-like replacement of the statue."
Minister for Veterans, Minister Natalie Suleyman said the Boer War Memorial Statue is an important acknowledgment to Ballarat's servicemen and women.
"With support from the Allan Labor Government, the upgrade of the Boer War Memorial strengthens our commitment to preserving the memory and honoring the sacrifices of those who fought in this significant chapter of our history," she said.
State Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison said monuments like the Boer War Memorial on Sturt Street ensure our local Ballarat veterans' legacies live on for generations to come.
"I'm proud to support projects that honour and commemorate our state's veterans," she said.
The $285,000 project is supported by a $50,000 grant from the State Government's Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour grant program.
Works are anticipated to be completed mid-2025 and the statue will be reinstalled in late 2025.
