The Garden of the Grieving Mother is an acknowledgement of the trauma, grief and anxiety felt by the families of Australian servicemen and women. Of the 3,801 WWI service men and women commemorated in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour, 1 in 5 made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives. At the centre of the memorial space is a bronze sculpture of a mother clutching a photograph of her son by sculptor Peter Corlett who has created many war memorial public artworks. The memorial was unveiled on 15 February 2017 by Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Mrs Kaye Baird, mother of posthumous Victoria Cross recipient, Corporal Cameron Baird.Bronze sculpture installed in landscaped garden on lit plintha mother grieving the loss of her child at war

Boy with a Thorn Though the classical bronze that the figure was modeled has become known as Lo Spinario, both Stuart Rattle and Kevin O’Neill referred to it as The Boy with a Thorn. Information from the late Stuart Rattle and John Graham, the late Kevin O’Neill’s partner. The statue was bought by Kevin O’Neill from a South Yarra antique dealer in the 1980s. She had bought it in Europe. Stuart believed that it was cast in Berlin by Moritz Geiss who had pioneered the popular process of zinc casting of classical statues. Schinkel, the architect of early 19th Century Prussian public buildings used the process extensively. I assume that the decorations that can be seen in Berlin currently are copies of those copies, given the comprehensive destruction of the city in 1945. Unless there is a date stamped on the statue, and there might well be, there is no firm indication of its age, although Stuart and Kevin believed it was “turn of the century”. It was given to Stuart by John Graham after the death of Kevin O’Neill. Prior to its installation at Musk Farm, it was “by the dam” at Marnarnie, O’Neill’s property at Mt Macedon. It became a much photographed focal point in the sunken garden at Musk Farm. The statue is a gift from the Rattle family to The Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens who intend to give it, in turn, to Hepburn Shire to be placed in the Botanic Gardens. Both the family and the Friends see it as a memorial to Stuart’s tireless work to raise funds for the Gardens and to raise the profile of the Gardens so that their considerable significance could be more broadly acknowledged. The CMP notes that statuary has been a feature of most botanic gardens (and a notable feature of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens) and James Lowe, the head of Parks for the Shire has also commented that it is an area that could well be developed in the Gardens. This comes from his attendance at meetings of the BGANZ, the “peak professional body” for the development and maintenance of registered botanic gardens in Aus and NZ. Given the lack of funds that the Shire has been able to allocate to the Gardens, a donation of this calibre is a welcome addition to the cultural asset that the Gardens represent. A very large number of residents of the Shire are members of the Friends, have visited Musk Farm and are appreciative of the Gardens. There is a current feeling that the Gardens are undergoing a dynamic revival as a result of the success of the Café and also because of the extraordinary improvement and enhancement of the amenity that has been undertaken over the past two years by the Friends. The installation of the Boy with the Thorn is another move forward for the Gardens. The statue is cast zinc. It is sometimes referred to a white bronze. As can be seen in the photographs, it is in very good condition with no damage or apparent degeneration of the metal. The Smithsonian Institution has a lengthy document relating to the deterioration and repair of similar casts in the US where urban pollution has taken its toll but for the most part it deals with inappropriate repair rather than maintenance protocols. One of the properties of zinc that is appreciated in Australia is its ability to withstand the elements and given that the artwork has been either on Mt Macedon or at Musk for the last 30 years or more, its relocation to Wombat Hill seems to be an appropriate one. The Friends are prepared to organise and pay for the relocation of the statue. The issue of security from the point of view of theft, malicious damage and environmental impact will need to be addressed. The Ballarat Botanical Gardens have recently reinstalled statuary which has been damaged and which had been removed from the Gardens on account of this. They have used Rockworks Ballarat and Wilson’s Memorials to make plinths, secure artworks with steel pins and to provide especially robust fixings to ensure the safety of the various sculptures. The CMP (2007) makes a number of recommendations regarding security in the Gardens ranging from the installation of lighting to the locking of the gates overnight and the repair/reinstatement of appropriate fencing – not done as yet to my knowledge. Paul Bangay has also agreed to act as a consultant in the process of installing the Boy. John Graham estimates its value at $20,000 The preferred location for the work would be at the entrance to the Fernery from the lawn. The paths form an intersection at that point that could be modified to fit the statue. But this is currently a suggested location only. The statue is a gift from the Rattle family to The Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens who have gifted it to the Hepburn Shire to be placed in the Botanic Gardens. Both the family and the Friends of the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens Daylesford see it as a memorial to Stuart’s tireless work to raise funds for the Gardens and to raise the profile of the Gardens so that their considerable significance could be more broadly acknowledged. Lo Spinario (Boy with a thorn) c. 1900 copy after the Greco-Roman Hellenistic antique bronze in Rome. c. 1900 copy after the Greco-Roman Hellenistic antique bronze in Rome (Palazzo dei Conservatori, Musei Capitolini, Rome) Manufacturer M. Geiss, Berlin Nonedaylesford, wombat hill botanical gardens, stuart rattle, kevin o'neill, john graham, boy with a thorn, lo spinario, classical sculpture, zinc, classical nude, hepburn shire, public art, sculpture, art

Makes comparisons between Australian cities and American and European cities. Melbourne and Sydney are heading in the same direction as Los Angeles. A possible future the city containing entertainment and culture, with the suburbs having open space and gardens but with access to city life.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 3 pagescity, cities, suburbs, melbourne, sydney, american cities, european cities, urban planners, robin boyd, manuscript

Features artwork by VACL Project Officer Mandy Nicholson.maps, photographswurundjeri, carlton gardens, alexandria gardens, maysar, batman treaty, oral histories

The aerial photograph shows the market garden situated on the river bend and flat of the Deep Creek at Bulla. In the 19th Century a hotel occupied the site. After World War II the property was owned by the Hughes family, who grew flowers. In 1971 Andrew Vlass purchased the property and it became a market garden until the Vlass family sold it in 1990.A black and white aerial photograph of the river bend and river flat of the Deep Creek at Bulla.scale - 170 feet = 1 inchdeep creek, market gardens, sunbury road, bulla, horticulture, hughes family, vlass, andrew, hotels, george evans collection

The original photo is part of an album taken by W.Walls, the front page of which is inscribed "The Hill / Sunbury / April 1897". Whilst most of the photos relate to the environs of the asylum, there are others taken around Sunbury and elsewhere. The original album is held as part of the Mental Health Collection. During 2000 this was transfered from Mont Park to the Royal melbourne Hospital.Two men are standing near a garden with a dwelling on the right hand side of the image. There are trees in the background. Unmounted black and white.walls, w., sunbury asylum, walls album, george evans collection

The original photo is part of an album taken by W.Walls, the front page of which is inscribed "The Hill/Sunbury/April 1897". Whilst most of the photos relate to the environs of the asylum, there are others taken around Sunbury and elsewhere. The original album is held as part of the Mental health Collection. During 2000 this was transferred from Mont Park to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.Photograph of house with four chimneys and a shed at the back, with a garden and a wire fence and a white gate. Unmounted black and white.walls, w., walls album, george evans collection

A studio photograph of a World War I soldier wearing uniform with a peaked cloth hat. There is an image of a garden and balustrade as a backdrop. Identified as A. Dench. It is mounted on fawn card with a fine brown border around the edge and a decorative oval mounting behind the photo.Yours truly / A. Dench / (handwritten)world war 1, soldiers, armed forces, hats, portraits, dench, a., kalma, photographers, george evans collection

The photograph has been copied from an older snapshot.A black and white photograph of the bust of C. H. Gilligan in a RAAF uniform. He is standing in front of a garden fence.raaf, uniforms, portraits, clothing and dress, gilligan, c. h., royal australian air force, george evans collection

The former bluestone Bulla Shire Hall building was constructed in 1867 and remained the centre of local government until the early 20th century when the administration was moved to Sunbury. In the 1990's the Alister Clark Rose Garden was established in the surrounding grounds. The garden is open to the public all the year round. In 1999 the rose garden was officially opened.A coloured photograph of the front elevation of the original Shire of Bulla offices. It is a bluestone building, double fronted with a pitched roof on both wings and above the porch. The woodwork trims have been painted in cream and red. The double wooden front door is painted red. The sign outside the building indicates the former function of the building and its importance.ORIGINAL/SHIRE OF BULLA/OFFICE/1868-1923shire of bulla, council chambers, rose gardens, rose growing, bulla township, roses, clark, alistair, george evans collection

The former bluestone Bulla Shire Hall building was constructed in 1867 and remained the centre of local government until the early 20th century when the administration was moved to Sunbury. In the 1990's the Alistair Clark Rose Garden was established in the surrounding grounds. The garden is open to the public all the year round. In 1999 the rose garden was officially opened.A coloured photograph of the side garden and the bluestone building which was the shire offices of the former Shire of Bulla. A treated pine fence runs along the front of the property. The roses in the garden are supported with the stakes and there is a backdrop of trees behind the building.shire of bulla, council chambers, rose gardens, rose growing, roses, bulla township, clark, alistair, george evans collection

The bluestone house 'Amelia' was built in 1914/1915 and has included a combination of Victorian and Federation styles. Andrew Patterson the first owner lived there for over 40 years. It is thought that the bluestone used for the walls came from the first state.A coloured photograph of 'Amelia', a bluestone double fronted house with white wooden trims and a white corrugated roof. A bull nosed verandah stretches across the front of the house. The surrounding garden has been painted out with low growing trees and shrubs.patterson, andrew, amelia, george evans collection

In 1963 construction of the new municipal shire offices began and the new offices were opened in October 1963. Over the years other buildings were added to the complex which included the Library and the George Evans Museum.A coloured photograph of the front view of the former Shire of Bull, Shire offices and a part of the garden area in the front with trees and a wooden seat.shire of bulla council offices, shire of bulla, george evans collection

A series of photographs were taken when heavy snow fell in Sunbury in August 1986. The snow began falling overnight and remained on the ground for 24 hours. Snow fell across the metropolitan area during that 24 hour period in a very unusual event for the area.A coloured photograph of the new main entrance to the former Shire of Bulla Council Offices and the garden immediately outside the portico area. The trees are bare and the lawn is covered with snow.snow falls, weather patterns, shire of bulla council offices, george evans collection

A series of photographs were taken when heavy snow fell in Sunbury in August 1986. The snow began falling overnight and remained on the ground for 24 hours. Snow fell across the metropolitan area during that 24 hour period in a very unusual event for the area.A coloured photograph of the front of the former Shire of Bulla Council Offices and front garden during a snow storm. The lawn area is covered with snow.snow falls, weather patterns, shire of bulla council offices, sunbury police station, george evans collection

The series of photographs were taken shortly after the opening of the newly established Goonawarra Golf Club in the early 1980s. The golf club was part of the Goonawarra Housing Estate which was developed on the area previously known as Goonawarra Farm. The new golf club replaced 'The Pines' which was part of the Caloola complex.A coloured photograph of the rear of Goonawarra Golf Club's Clubrooms. Along the wall of a small vestibule are 6 narrow casement windows. A native garden is planted along the building with a large grassy area extending downhill from the building.goona warra golf club, george evans collection

A black and white photograph of a group of men working a threshing machine and building a haystack during hay making in 1922.cullinan, uraina, eileen, bayview farm, diggers rest, harvesting, haystacks, machinery, agricultural machinery, farm and garden equipment, hay bales, 1920s, george evans collection

A black and white photograph of a weatherboard house and garden known as Bayview Farm at Diggers Rest. It is the home of Uraina and Eileen Cullinan situated at 111 Davis Road, Diggers Rest.on back: BAYVIEW / 111 DAVIS ROAD / DIGGERS RESTcullinan, uraina, eileen, diggers rest, bayview farm, chris, davis road, george evans collection

A black and white photograph of two horses harnessed up to a cultivator. A young girl and a man are standing behind it.on back: DIGGERS RESTcullinan, uraina, eileen, chris, cultivators, horses, farm and garden equipment, agricultural implements, george evans collection

Sepia photograph of two drays that have teams of horses harnessed to them. There are three men in the image and they are backdropped by tall trees.on back: DIGGERS RESTcullinan, uraina, eileen, chris, cultivators, horses, farm and garden equipment, drays, farming, bayview farm, agricultural implements, george evans collection

A coloured image of Miss E. Cullinan with four calves in her garden at Bayview Farm, Diggers Rest.on back in ink: EILEEN CULLINANcullinan, uraina, eileen, chris, bayview farm, diggers rest, farm, clothing and dress, george evans collection

Further information needed about this photograph.A coloured photograph of a war cemetery with garden beds around the headstones and an arbor in the middle distance. A raised cross is overlooking the cemetery area.KALOMBABE COM. WAR CEMETERY/ BEAUTIFULLY KEPTwar graves, war cemeteries, kalombabe commonwealth war cemetery, george evans collection

'Glenara' is situated along the Deep Creek at Bulla and was built on an original government grant of land by Walter Clark. His fourth child, Alistair, spent much of his life there and with the help of his gardener, W.Peers, gained world recognition for introducing 150 new rose species which included the Black Boy and Lorraine Lee. He was also founder of the Moonee Valley Racing Club.A black and white photograph of a Victorian home with a return verandah across the front and side. Vines are growing up the metal verandah posts and across the front of the verandah.glenara', rose gardens, roses, clark, alistair, walter, moonee valley racing club, george evans collection

The Rev. Charles Edward Gayer was the vicar at St. Mary's Church of England in Sunbury during the early decade of the twentieth century.A sepia coloured photo of the Rev and Mrs Gayer with their daughter, Crystal, in a garden setting with an afternoon tea set up. The photo is mounted on a grey cardboard mat. There are a number of stains and some foxing on it and also a number of pin holes and an area of superficial paper loss centre top of the mat.Matson and Frazer 264 Collins Streetgayer, rev charles edward, - (mrs), george evans collection

A close-up sepia photo of the Neil Nicholls and family. Mr Nicholls, his wife, daughter and infant are posed in a garden setting, seated in cane chairs. The dress is consistent with a date of late 19th century.The photo is mounted on a grey cardboard matt. The matt is foxed and has 2 black ink stains, 3 pin holes and an area of staining from residual sticking tape.Matson and Frazer Mr Neil Nicholls and family 264 Little Collins St Melbourne Back: Eric Boardmaneric boardman collection, nicholls, mr neil, matson and frazer, photographers, george evans collection

Eric Boardman CollectionThe Fanning family posed in a garden setting. There is a man, a woman, a young man, a young woman & 3 small girls. The dress is consistent with a date of the late 19th century. The photo is mounted on a grey cardboard matt. The matt is foxed and has pin holes top & bottom.eric boardman collection, matson and frazer, photographers, fanning family, george evans collection

The Melbourne Airport was built at Tullamarine in the late 1960's and officially opened in 1970. The Travel Lodge Hotel was built opposite the main terminal building to accommodate air travellers.A black and white photograph of the Travel Lodge Hotel in the Melbourne Airport complex and the landscaped gardens in front of the building.hotels, melbourne airport, tullamarine, travelodge hotel, george evans collection

The hat belonged to Edna Vlassopoulos who with her husband Andrew, had a poultry farm and market garden in the old Westmeadows township and later at Bulla. The hat was purchased to wear at a family wedding.A pink straw hat with a pink silk folded band wrapped above a narrow brim. There is a full-blown pink silk rose which is a trim on the RHS of the crown. There is a band of petersham ribbon inside the crown with black hat elastic fastened on either side.clothing and dress, headwear, female, george evans collection