Historical information

This image perfectly captures the Botanical Gardens in late afternoon light. The Statuary Pavilion was built following a bequest from James Russell Thompson, who was originally from Scotland. The Wallace Statue was purchased with money remaining in the bequest after the Pavilion was established.

Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.