Westgarth Drinking Fountain c1888

Summary

Location: Carlton Gardens, Nicholson St entrance This tiered drinking fountain has two cast-bronze drinking spouts, each taking the form of an emu. A delightful example of Australiana, it has two embracing kangaroos surmounting the drinking troughs, which in turn are surmounted by a finial-like bronze and glass light. Manufactured by Alexander McDonald & Co., this pink-granite fountain was presented to the people of Victoria by 1840s pioneer William Westgarth when he returned to Melbourne to visit the Centennial Exhibition in 1888. It was removed from its original site around 1953, after which Giannarelli & Sons acquired it for their land at Merri Creek, Northcote. It was never erected at Northcote, but Giannarelli restored the work for temporary erection at one of the main entrances (on Melbourne Avenue) to the 1988 Brisbane Expo. In 1993, it was purchased from the company and returned to the historic Carlton Gardens.