Memorial Wall Rotunda expertly restored

A historic rotunda in the Arch of Victory precinct has been expertly restored in time for Remembrance Day.

The Memorial Wall Rotunda at the Arch of Victory has undergone extensive conservation works in recent months, including cleaning, repairing render, applying waterproofing and repainting.

The works, which were approved by Heritage Victoria under a heritage permit exemption, were funded by a $20,000 contribution by the City of Ballarat and a further $20,000 from the Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee Inc, generously supported by the Haymes Foundation.

The rotunda will be officially rededicated by City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson on Saturday 11 November, as a prelude to the Remembrance Day service at the site.

Cr Hudson said the project was a great example of the City of Ballarat partnering with a deserving community group to deliver something of significance.

“Monuments such as this are so important to Ballarat and it is vital that we continue to maintain them to ensure they last for many more generations to come,” he said.

This rotunda now contains a granite column that has an alphabetical listing of the names of the City of Ballarat World War I service personnel whose names are commemorated with a tree in the Avenue of Honour.  

It was originally located across the road on the northern side of the Avenue of Honour, immediately adjacent to the former Ballarat Golf Club building.

It was relocated to its current position in 1993 as part of the major redevelopment of the Arch of Victory precinct that took place at that time. The alphabetical listing was added with the generous donation from Irene Lillingston in memory of her late husband. Illumination was added later by Ballarat electrician WM McKnight & Sons.  

The dome of the rotunda was originally constructed by the same bricklayer that worked on the Arch of Victory, George Brookes, using bricks sourced from the Ballarat firm, Selkirk Bricks. When it was relocated in 1993, Ballarat building firm H Troon carried out that detailed task.

The recent refurbishment work was designed by Quadratum Architecture & Conservation and carried out by Ballarat builder and preservation heritage specialists, PFB Building.

This year’s Remembrance Day service will specifically remember 20 Ballarat men who attended local schools and lost their lives in World War I with no known graves.

Arch of Victory/Avenue of Honour Committee President, Garry Snowden said honouring men and women by name was an important part of every service.

“While experiencing the grief of losing a loved one, the families of this year’s group were also denied the very small consolation of at least knowing that their son, husband, father or brother was buried under a headstone bearing their name,” he said.  

“We are expecting that a number of schools will attend to lay a tribute in memory of a past student who gave his life for our country.”

The Memorial Wall Rotunda at the Arch of Victory rededication ceremony will begin at 9.20am, to be followed by the traditional Remembrance Day service.

Remembrance Day service details

Arch of Victory, Sturt Street: 9.20am

Buninyong RSL, Memorial Park: 10.20am

Ballarat RSL, Ballarat Cenotaph, Sturt Street: 10.30am

Sebastopol RSL, Sebastopol Cenotaph, Albert Street: 10.50am  

Ex-POW Memorial, Lake Wendouree, Carlton Street: 11.45am

Traffic Information

For the safety of participants and all road users, the following traffic alterations will be installed for Sturt Street:

• Sturt Street eastbound will be closed between Lyons St and Dawson St from approximately 10am until 12pm.
• Sturt Street westbound will remain open, but the section of road between Dawson Street and Lyons Street will be reduced to one-lane traffic only with the speed limit reduced to 40km/h, between the same hours of approximately 10am to 12pm.

Please note that:

• Eastbound traffic on Sturt Street will be diverted at Lyons Street, with the option to travel via Mair Street and Dawson Street to re-join Sturt Street travelling eastbound.
• Traffic will not be able to cross Sturt Street via the Lyons Street intersection in either direction.

Short delays are expected; therefore, all road users are reminded to approach the area with caution and follow the direction of traffic marshals and police.  

Pedestrian access to shops and services will remain accessible.