Three Ballarat notables were appointed by Mr Thomson to select the Statuary for the Botanical Gardens after his death.The tablet is significant in recording the benefactor and those responsible for the selection of the statuary. Also, the tablet testifies to the high esteem in which Mr Thomson was held.Brass tablet. Coloured photograph photocopied.Nonemr w.d. thomson, j. noble wilson, horatio arthur nevett, thomas stoddart, committee to select the statuary, statuary in the ballarat botanical gardens, benefactors, tablet., john garner collection, garner, dr, ballarat botanical gardens, gardens, ballarat

Rebekah was designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers, one of five white marble statues housed in the Statuary Pavilion, Ballarat Botanical Gardens.The Pavilion and its statues were unveiled in 1888 by Premier Duncan Gillies, a former colleague of James Russell Thompson whose bequest to the City enabled the purchase, in Italy, of the statues. The Flight from Pompeii and the four accompanying statues are housed in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Flight from Pompeii, in the centre, was designed by Professor Carlo Benzoni and carved by Charles Francis Summers while the four accompanying statues were all designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers. The octagonal Pavilion was specially designed by T.E. Molloy in 1887 to house the statuary. The five statues and Pavilion are believed to be unique in Australia. The Flight from Pompeii, Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah are aesthetically significant as they are a group of statues, which are a fine example of the design of Professor G.M. Benzoni [Flight from Pompeii] and the design and carving of Charles Francis Summers. The carving of the Flight from Pompeii is both sensitive and finely done and both the design and carving of Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah is sensitive and delicate with great attention to detail. The group is historically important as it epitomises the 'beautification' of the city in the 1880s by men who made their money from gold and who wished to give to the city money for projects such the statuary Pavilion and its contents. The Flight from Pompeii group is located in the Botanical Gardens, which were then also being developed in the Victorian style. This also illustrates the social feeling of the time in which the wealthy had made their money and were wanting to develop in a most substantial way, as well as to 'beautify' the city in which they lived. The Pavilion, designed by the major Ballarat architect T.E. Molloy, is unusual for its top-lit central lantern and curved roofs. The statues are seen to their best advantage because of the provision of all-round and top natural lighting. Classified: 03/03/2003 Victorian Heritage Database. White marble statue of a woman standing with left arm raised to her head and draped in cloth to form a robe tied at the front.Rebekah

The Flight from Pompeii was designed by Professor Carlo Benzoni and carved by Charles Francis Summers, one of five white marble statues housed in the Statuary Pavilion, Ballarat Botanical Gardens.The Pavilion and its statues were unveiled in 1888 by Premier Duncan Gillies, a former colleague of James Russell Thompson whose bequest to the City enabled the purchase, in Italy, of the statues. The Flight from Pompeii and the four accompanying statues are housed in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Flight from Pompeii, in the centre, was designed by Professor Carlo Benzoni and carved by Charles Francis Summers while the four accompanying statues were all designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers. The octagonal Pavilion was specially designed by T.E. Molloy in 1887 to house the statuary. The five statues and Pavilion are believed to be unique in Australia. The Flight from Pompeii, Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah are aesthetically significant as they are a group of statues, which are a fine example of the design of Professor G.M. Benzoni [Flight from Pompeii] and the design and carving of Charles Francis Summers. The carving of the Flight from Pompeii is both sensitive and finely done and both the design and carving of Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah is sensitive and delicate with great attention to detail. The group is historically important as it epitomises the 'beautification' of the city in the 1880s by men who made their money from gold and who wished to give to the city money for projects such the statuary Pavilion and its contents. The Flight from Pompeii group is located in the Botanical Gardens, which were then also being developed in the Victorian style. This also illustrates the social feeling of the time in which the wealthy had made their money and were wanting to develop in a most substantial way, as well as to 'beautify' the city in which they lived. The Pavilion, designed by the major Ballarat architect T.E. Molloy, is unusual for its top-lit central lantern and curved roofs. The statues are seen to their best advantage because of the provision of all-round and top natural lighting. Classified: 03/03/2003 Victorian Heritage Database.White marble statue of a male, female and baby (family) in flight.The Flight From Pompeii by Charles Summersflight, pompeii, benzoni, summers

Ruth was designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers, one of five white marble statues housed in the Statuary Pavilion, Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Pavilion and its statues were unveiled in 1888 by Premier Duncan Gillies, a former colleague of James Russell Thompson whose bequest to the City enabled the purchase, in Italy, of the statues. The Flight from Pompeii and the four accompanying statues are housed in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Flight from Pompeii, in the centre, was designed by Professor Carlo Benzoni and carved by Charles Francis Summers while the four accompanying statues were all designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers. The octagonal Pavilion was specially designed by T.E. Molloy in 1887 to house the statuary. The five statues and Pavilion are believed to be unique in Australia. The Flight from Pompeii, Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah are aesthetically significant as they are a group of statues, which are a fine example of the design of Professor G.M. Benzoni [Flight from Pompeii] and the design and carving of Charles Francis Summers. The carving of the Flight from Pompeii is both sensitive and finely done and both the design and carving of Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah is sensitive and delicate with great attention to detail. The group is historically important as it epitomises the 'beautification' of the city in the 1880s by men who made their money from gold and who wished to give to the city money for projects such the statuary Pavilion and its contents. The Flight from Pompeii group is located in the Botanical Gardens, which were then also being developed in the Victorian style. This also illustrates the social feeling of the time in which the wealthy had made their money and were wanting to develop in a most substantial way, as well as to 'beautify' the city in which they lived. The Pavilion, designed by the major Ballarat architect T.E. Molloy, is unusual for its top-lit central lantern and curved roofs. The statues are seen to their best advantage because of the provision of all-round and top natural lighting. Classified: 03/03/2003 Victorian Heritage Database. the artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratWhite marble statue, Ruth is in a seated position with a loosely draped dress.Ruthruth

Modesty was designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers, one of five white marble statues housed in the Statuary Pavilion, Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Pavilion and its statues were unveiled in 1888 by Premier Duncan Gillies, a former colleague of James Russell Thompson whose bequest to the City enabled the purchase, in Italy, of the statues. The Flight from Pompeii and the four accompanying statues are housed in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Flight from Pompeii, in the centre, was designed by Professor Carlo Benzoni and carved by Charles Francis Summers while the four accompanying statues were all designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers. The octagonal Pavilion was specially designed by T.E. Molloy in 1887 to house the statuary. The five statues and Pavilion are believed to be unique in Australia. The Flight from Pompeii, Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah are aesthetically significant as they are a group of statues, which are a fine example of the design of Professor G.M. Benzoni [Flight from Pompeii] and the design and carving of Charles Francis Summers. The carving of the Flight from Pompeii is both sensitive and finely done and both the design and carving of Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah is sensitive and delicate with great attention to detail. The group is historically important as it epitomises the 'beautification' of the city in the 1880s by men who made their money from gold and who wished to give to the city money for projects such the statuary Pavilion and its contents. The Flight from Pompeii group is located in the Botanical Gardens, which were then also being developed in the Victorian style. This also illustrates the social feeling of the time in which the wealthy had made their money and were wanting to develop in a most substantial way, as well as to 'beautify' the city in which they lived. The Pavilion, designed by the major Ballarat architect T.E. Molloy, is unusual for its top-lit central lantern and curved roofs. The statues are seen to their best advantage because of the provision of all-round and top natural lighting. Classified: 03/03/2003 Victorian Heritage Database. The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratWhite marble statue, Modesty standing with right arm folded over chest, robed and with veil over face.Modestymodesty

Susannah designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers and accompanies four statues in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Pavilion and its statues were unveiled in 1888 by Premier Duncan Gillies, a former colleague of James Russell Thompson whose bequest to the City enabled the purchase, in Italy, of the statues. The Flight from Pompeii and the four accompanying statues are housed in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Flight from Pompeii, in the centre, was designed by Professor Carlo Benzoni and carved by Charles Francis Summers while the four accompanying statues were all designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers. The octagonal Pavilion was specially designed by T.E. Molloy in 1887 to house the statuary. The five statues and Pavilion are believed to be unique in Australia. The Flight from Pompeii, Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah are aesthetically significant as they are a group of statues, which are a fine example of the design of Professor G.M. Benzoni [Flight from Pompeii] and the design and carving of Charles Francis Summers. The carving of the Flight from Pompeii is both sensitive and finely done and both the design and carving of Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah is sensitive and delicate with great attention to detail. The group is historically important as it epitomises the 'beautification' of the city in the 1880s by men who made their money from gold and who wished to give to the city money for projects such the statuary Pavilion and its contents. The Flight from Pompeii group is located in the Botanical Gardens, which were then also being developed in the Victorian style. This also illustrates the social feeling of the time in which the wealthy had made their money and were wanting to develop in a most substantial way, as well as to 'beautify' the city in which they lived. The Pavilion, designed by the major Ballarat architect T.E. Molloy, is unusual for its top-lit central lantern and curved roofs. The statues are seen to their best advantage because of the provision of all-round and top natural lighting. Classified: 03/03/2003 Victorian Heritage Database.The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of Ballarat White marble statue, female seated with cloth draped over lower body.Susannahsusannah, summers

Yellow covered nine page booklet containing 19th Century views of Bendigo and Ballarat presented by Thomas Richard Jones, Chemist of Hargreaves Street Bendigo. Art Noveau figure of woman on front cover. Inside cover features T R Jones Dispensing Chemist and Druggist printed beside man holding a horse. List of Veterinary products supplied by Jones. Farmer's requisites included Strychnine, Toxa, Phosphorus, Poisoined wheat, Bi-sulphide of Carbon. Egg preserving fluid and milk preserving powder Rennet and butter colouring along with Drenches and Cattle medicenes supplied. View No1. Moorabel Falls Ballarat. View No 2. Statues of Leda and Spring Ballarat. View No 3. A Giant Palm Bendigo. View No 4. View from St Paul's Bendigo. View No 5. Unveiling 'The first Public Statue' Bendigo P/Office in background. View No 6. Statue Presented to the City of Bendigo by Cr Harkness. [Reclining greek beside dog fighting lion] View No 7. 'On the Campaspe, near Bendigo. View No 8 The Pine Avenue, Rosalind Park. View No 9. Scenes on Lake Wendouree, Ballarat. View No 10. Statuary in The Botanical Gardens Ballarat. View No 11. Statues of Burns & Moore Ballarat. View No 12. Botanical Gardens, Ballarat. Inside back cover features list of T R Jones products. Outside back cover features advertisement for T R Jones Universal Corn Cure, and Jone's Compound Pectoral Balm.Printed by Periodicacls Publishing Co, 21 Elizabeth Street Melbourne.bendigo, parks and gardens, bendigo chemist and local views.

Digital images of the Ballarat section of the Cyclopedia of Victoria, 1904cyclopedia of victoria, ballarat, ballarat benevolent asylum, john adam, gold discovery, lake wendouree, boat house, sailing, eureka stockade, ballarat botanical gardens, statuary, statues, ballarat school of mines, ballarat town hall, sturt street, shoppee square ballarat, ballarat mecahanics' institute, ballarat hospital, henry cuthbert, charles collett shoppee, john murray, richard greenwood middleton, john m. kline, john ritchie, thomas stoddart, william little, john robson, hugh v. mckay, h.v. mckay, n. clark, a. h. powell, r.j. powell, edward shaw, charles j. reid, frederick g. haymes, james thomas mitchell, robert scott, frane longden, robert d. pinnock, thomas a. wilson, sydney b. fisher, david bartholomew, t.r. treloar, s-ray, w. cornell, alexander greenfield, andrew callow, victorian mounted rifles, s.g. valentine, andrew scott, thomas robertson, john gordon robertspm, w.t. rowe, thomas a. oddie, william morris, jospeh walshe, william acheson, joseph dill, william mason, llanberis no 1, anthony jenkin, james carey, wlliam emery, percy kent, henry bath, j. rowe, john couttie, william sansom, francis coote, john mckenna, robert ditchburn, thomas mitchell, john daniel, george williams, william treloar, r.b. squire, jonah ward, robert smyth, william bell, thomas couper, w. joseph, william wallace, benjamin dowling, robert crawford, alexander aikens, c. dennison, w.f. coltman, federal timber yard, george hotel, williaim dones, j. dreaden, richard's and co, j.a. gear, r.w. fleming, l.e. cutter, l.s. cutter, a.e. cutter, c.f. cutter, george anderson, w.e. longhurst, christopher howlett, david mcgrath, james wishart, f.g. reeve, eureka iron works, j.e. cowley, albert foundry, john robert harrison, j.b. cameron, p.b. sutherland, george richards, ballarat brass foundry, m.b. john, morgan john, m.w.b. john, james smith, w.p. davies, j.t. vercoe, james kelly, williaim osbourne, alexander mcdonald, alexander e. mcdonald, henry john symons, bridge street flood

Geoff Biddington took numerous photos around Ballarat and District. He was an active member of the Ballarat Branch of the National Trust. 48 black and white photographs of Ballarat buildings. 1. National Bank, Buninyong 2. Gas Light Standard, Geelong Road, Mount Clear 3. Water Hydrant 4. Former Police Station, Camp Street 5. Cast Iron Drinking Fountain, Eureka Stockade 6. Buninyong Gold Discovery Monument 7. Ballarat Old Cemetery Gates 8. Ballarat East Post office 9. Carriers Arms, Doveton Street North 10. North Star Hotel, Lydiard Street North 11.Lake View Hotel 12. Former Ballarat Gaol, Gate Two 13. Beaufort House 14. Smythesdale Post Office 15. Ballan Timber Building 16. National Mutual Building, Sturt Street 17. Craig's Hotel Doors 18. Her Majesty's Theatre Stage 19 & 20. Ballarat Botanical Gardens Statuary House 21 & 22. Stonemason at work 23. Methodist Church School (1867) Humffray Street 24 & 25. Methodist Church, Brown Hill 26. Queen St Statue,Sturt Street 27-29. Sturt Street Fountain 30. Moore Statue, Sturt Street 31. Hede Statue, Sturt Street 32. George V Statue (Victor Greenhalgh), Sturt Street 33-35. Peter Lalor Statue, Sturt Street 36. Art Deco Statue, Sturt Street 37. Beaufort Bandstand 38. Ranger Barracks, Curtis Street, Ballarat 39. Smeaton Mill and Bridge 40. Hepburn Graveyard, Smeaton 41-45 - Ballarat Tram Ride (possibly last) 46-48. Taking up the Ballarat Tram Tracks, 1967 .49. Melbourne House, Sebastopolgeoff biddington, biddington, buninyong, mount clear, police, gold, cemetery, hotels, ballarat gaol, beaufort house, smythesdale, ballan, theatre, statue, statues, statuary, peter lalor, ranger barracks, smeaton mill, smeaton bridge, hepburn, tram, sebastopol, craig's, her majesty's theatre, smeaton, hepburn graveyard, gold monument, queen victoria statue, ballarat, foodland, ballarat, ballarat buildings, former eagle hotel, former ballarat police station, gold discovery, craig's hotel, buninyong gold discovery obelisk

The image of Ballarat Trustees relates to a building on the corner of Mair and Lydiard Streets. In 2010 it was used as Cuthberts law firm.Grey/green soft covered book. Includes photographs and map. Themes include: Ballarat History pre gold, mining, Eureka Stockade, Lake Wendouree, South Street, Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia, schools, Black Hill, Lake Burrumbeet, Creswick, Buninyong. Illustrations and advertisement include: Sturt Street,James Smith, Ballarat Town Hall, Ballarat East Town Hall, Rowlands, Ballarat brewing Co., Royal Standard Brewery, steam train, Lake Wendouree, J.S. Vickery & Son, trout, Berry, Anderson & co., Ballarat Botanical Gardens and hot houses, Claxton Memorial Fountain, statues, New Imperial Gold Mine, Art Gallery of Ballarat, St Patrick's College, Ballarat Grammar School, Ballarat School of Mines, Ballarat College, Sunnyside Woollen Mills, Ballarat Agricultural High School, Passenger Steamer on Lake Wendouree, Moorabool Falls, Lal Lal Falls, Grosvenor Square, Netherby, Buninyong, Ballarat Motor Garage.ballarat, cuthberts, ballarat trustees, sturt street, tram, trams, ballarat town hall, crag's hotel, sun foundry, eureka aerated waters and brewing co, d. lem, chinese practioner, chinese herbalist, hugh v. mckay, sunshine harvester, gordon brothers, central business college, george hotel, edwards pyrites furnace, long's biscuits, ballarat eisteddfod, george farmer, ballarat botanical gardens, eureka stockade, lake wendouree, ballarat school of mines, moorabool falls, kirks reservoir, ballarat post office, hepburn lagoon, star of the east mine, emu river, ballarat observatory, statues, angus' rialto cafe, carlyon's hotel, clarendon ladies' college, j.e, sang, ballarat coffee palace, stansfield and smith, ballaray brewing company, phoenix brewery, rotal standard brewery, john macleod co, robert sim and co, cobb and co\eagle foundry, j.j. goller and co., mt buninyong lookout, ballarat town hall ballarat east gardens, hot house, glass house, statuary pavilion new imperial gold mining co.,, art gallery of ballarat, st patrick's college, ballarat agricultural high school, lake wendouree steamer, grass trees at mt clear, mount clear, lake burrumbeet, newlyn reservoir trout, lal lal falls, grosvenor square, netherby, ramelli's motor garage, buninyong gold obelisk, memorial, imperial gold mine, botanical gardens lily pond and fernery

At one time Her Majesty's Theatre was known as the Memorial Theatre. When these photos were taken Geoffrey Biddington was highly involved with the Ballarat Branch of the National Trust. Lenaghan of Tourello "Master Dan Lenaghan, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Lenaghan, of Tourello, has been successful in obtaining a Government scholarship, tenable for four years at St. Patrick's College, Ballarat.(Melbourne Advocate, 02 March 1939) Black folders of Ballarat photographs as follows: .1) Ballarat City Council Logo on Ballarat Botanical Garden Gates .2) Ballarat Railway Station .3) Ballarat Town Hall .4) Ballarat Fire Station, Ballarat East .5) Interior of Ballarat Railway Stations .6) Ballaarat Municipal Libraries Barkly Street Branch, formerly Ballarat East Library .7) Entrance to Ballarat Presbyterian Church? .8) Former Ballarat Baptist Church, Dawson Street .9) Church with small steeple, erected AD 1860 .10) Brick Church with steeple .12) Gates of the former Ballarat Gaol .13) Gates of the former Ballarat Gaol .15) Craig's Hotel, Nominee Brian D. Foley .16) ? .17) Interior of Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat .18) Bailey's Mansion, later used as the St John of God Convent .19) Lal Lal Blast Furnace .20) Gates of St Patricks Cathedral Ballarat, looking towards the Cathedral Hall .21) .20) Gates of St Patricks Cathedra, Sturt Street, Ballarat .22) ? .23) Lenaghan's Tourello .24) Ballarat Terrace, c1967 .25) Entrance to Ballarat Terrace, c1967 .26) ? .27) Entrance gate to Novar, Webster Street, Ballarat .28) Interior of Ballarat Railway Station, c1967 .30) Pratt's Warehouse, Camp Street, Ballarat, c1967 .31) Entrance gate to Novar, Webster Street, Ballarat .32) Cast Iron Gate .33) Cast Iron Gate .34) Cast Iron Gate .35) Ballarat New Cemetery Gates .36) Cast Iron Post Cap .37) Cast Iron lamp .38) Cast Iron lamp .39) Ballarat Botanical Gardens Statuary Pavilion .40) 'Flight of Pompeii' statue in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Statuary Pavilion ballarat city council logo on ballarat botanical garden gates, ballarat botanical garden gates, ballarat railway station, ballarat town hall, ballarat fire station, ballarat east, interior of ballarat railway stations, ballaarat municipal libraries barkly street branch, formerly ballarat east library, entrance to ballarat presbyterian church?, former ballarat baptist church, dawson street, church with small steeple, erected ad 1860, brick church with steeple, gates of the former ballarat gaol, craig's hotel, nominee brian d. foley, brian d. foley, interior of her majesty's theatre, ballarat, bailey's mansion, later used as the st john of god convent, lal lal blast furnace, gates of st patricks cathedral ballarat, looking towards the cathedral hall, gates of st patricks cathedral, lenaghan's tourello, ballarat terrace,, entrance to ballarat terrace, entrance gate to novar, webster street, ballarat, interior of ballarat railway station, c1967, pratt's warehouse, camp street, ballarat, c1967, cast iron gate, ballarat new cemetery gates, cast iron post cap, cast iron lamp, ballarat botanical gardens statuary pavilion, 'flight of pompeii' statue, architectural features

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, botanic gardens, fernery, statues

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, botanical gardens, fernery, statues

Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Plus X Pan Film.ballarat, ballaraat, statuary, pavilion, botanical, gardens

Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Plus X Pan Film.ballarat, ballaraat, statuary, pavilion, botanical, gardens

Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Panatomic X Filmballarat, ballaraat, statuary, pavilion, botanical, gardens

Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Panatomic X Filmballarat, ballaraat, statuary, pavilion, botanical, gardens

Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Panatomic X Filmballarat, ballaraat, statuary, pavilion, botanical, gardens

Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Panatomic X Filmballarat, ballaraat, statuary, pavilion, botanical, gardens

Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Plus X Pan Film.ballarat, ballaraat, statuary, pavilion, botanical, gardens

Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Panatomic X Filmballarat, ballaraat, statuary, pavilion, botanical, gardens

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, statuary pavillion botanical gardens, panorama

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, lake wendouree, botanical gardens

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.

The imposing white marble statue of William Wallace by Percival Ball stands approximately 8 feet tall with helmet and sward. The statue is mounted on a granite base with a marble plaque inscribed in praise of William Wallace, the Scottish warrior famous for leading the defeat of English forces at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. The artwork is located in the Botanic Gardens in Ballarat, Victoria and can be seen upon entry from the main gates. Sculpted by Percival Ball of Melbourne and unveiled in 1889, the statue was funded by a £3000 bequest to the gardens by James Russell Thomson, a Scottish miner who made his fortune during the Victorian gold rush. It was intended as a tribute to Thomson’s Scottish origins. The front the statue bears an inscription from Robert Burns’ 1785 sentimental poem ‘The Cotter’s Saturday Night’, which also lauds Wallace as a noble patriot and hero.The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratWhite marble statue of William Wallace on plinthWALLACE Bequeathed to the public of Ballarat by the late James Russell Thomson unveiled 24th May 1889. "Oh thou! who poured the patriotic tide that streamed through Wallace's undaunted heart, who dared to nobly stem tyrannic pride, Or nobly die, the second glorious part, (The patriot's God, peculiarly thou art. His friend, inspirer, guardian, and reward!) Oh never, never, Scotia's realm desert; But still the patriot, and the patriot bard, in bright succession raise her ornament and guard;" (Burns)sir william wallace, statues, statuary pavillion, botanical gardens, lake wendouree, william wallace statue, charles summer, percival ball

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

Photograph of the James Russell Thomson memorial in the Ballarat Town Hall.In grateful record of the values bequest by James Russell Thomson of Statuary in the Botani Gardens A.D. 1888 Testator was a native of Airdrie, Scotland, resident 35 years at Ballaarat. Obit May 26, 1886, Aetat 68.statues, ballarat town hall, james russell thomson, botanic garden, memorial