Community invited to launch Vahland drinking fountain restoration appeal


The community is invited to attend the launch of the Vahland drinking fountain restoration appeal on Tuesday July 21, 2015 at 10am at the Bendigo Town Hall.

Next Tuesday marks 100 years since the death of William Charles Vahland, a prolific German architect that designed some of Bendigo’s most iconic buildings including the Town Hall, The Capital Theatre and Bendigo Health’s Anne Caudle Centre.

To commemorate the anniversary, the City of Greater Bendigo, together with the Bendigo Bank, National Trust of Australia (Victoria and Bendigo branches) and the German Heritage Society, is calling for donations to restore a public drinking fountain that once stood on Pall Mall to service horses, dogs and people.

The multi-faceted fountain was made of granite and featured four gas lights atop a central column and water flowed out of the mouths of four metal lions into large granite basins. There were also many decorative elements including scroll-shaped supports to connect the central column to the fountain below.

Installed in 1881, the fountain sat at the junction of Bridge Street and Pall Mall and together with the Alexandra Fountain was intended to visually balance Pall Mall, whilst also forming a triangle of fountains with the Cascades in Rosalind Park. All three water features were designed by Vahland.

Mayor Cr Peter Cox said the City hopes to place the refurbished drinking fountain at the end of Bull Street, between the Law Courts and Conservatory Gardens.

“The drinking fountain was dismantled to make way for the Discovery of Gold monument and has mostly been tucked away in storage ever since,” Cr Cox said.

“Bendigo is famous for its heritage streetscape, so there is no greater time than now, a century on, to honour the legacy of one of the city’s founding fathers and restore the fountain to complement our beautiful buildings.

“It is estimated the restoration will cost $250,000 and members of the public can make a tax free donation at any local Bendigo Bank branch from next Tuesday. The project has already attracted in-kind assistance, especially by experts in design and engineering.

“The aim is to complete this project by July next year, so it can be unveiled on the 101st anniversary of Vahland’s death. Every little bit will help in achieving our goal.”

At the launch the City will officially announce significant donations already received towards the project.

For more information visit City of Greater Bendigo