Temperance societies first appeared in the United States in the early 1800s though they became more active in the late 1880s and early 1900s. Their aim varied from trying to get people to cut down on the consumption of alcohol, to asking people to abstain (teetotalism), right through to demanding the total prohibition of alcohol. The societies had varying degrees of success in the US but still spread to the United Kingdom and Australia, among other places. Continue reading “Drink Water! – Temperance Fountain”
Belmore Park – The Living Heart of Goulburn
The centrepiece or living heart of Goulburn is the beautiful Belmore Park, a peaceful green oasis in the centre of one of the cleanest and tidiest cities (while officially a city it only has a population of 24,000) that I have visited. The Park is full of interesting things in itself, it has a few good cafes around about it and all of the city’s central attractions are within an easy walk. Continue reading “Belmore Park – The Living Heart of Goulburn”
Water For The Port – Formby Memorial Fountain
One for lovers of Victoriana.
Drinking water has been a problem in Port Adelaide since the port’s founding in the 1830s. Some would say it remains a problem for Adelaide even today with its very hard water – though it tastes fine to me. Continue reading “Water For The Port – Formby Memorial Fountain”
Three Rivers Fountain
I should state upfront, lest people who have visited this fountain prior to 2014 think I have lost my sense of direction, that this fountain has in fact moved. It is at the southern end of Victoria Square and not the northern end, having been moved in a 2013-14 redevelopment of the Square. Continue reading “Three Rivers Fountain”
Rundle Mall – Shops, Pigs, Balls and a Fountain
Rundle Street is Adelaide’s main shopping street, the western and longer part of which is pedestrianised and forms Rundle Mall. It runs parallel to North Terrace where museums, universities, etc are located. Continue reading “Rundle Mall – Shops, Pigs, Balls and a Fountain”
Captain Cook Memorial Fountain and Globe
Inaugurated in April 1970 (with the accompanying globe referred to below) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the bicentenary of Captain James Cook’s discovery of the east coast of Australia this fountain/jet sits in Lake Burley Griffin in front of the National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point. Continue reading “Captain Cook Memorial Fountain and Globe”
Hordern Drinking Fountain
Throughout the later part of the 19th century and into the 20th century the Hordern Family dominated the Sydney retail trade. Beginning with ‘Mrs Hordern’s’ drapery shop in 1823, Anthony Hordern and Sons soon became the largest department store in Sydney, with businesses in Europe, America and China. Continue reading “Hordern Drinking Fountain”
The El Alamein Fountain
I don’t know why but I have always found it rather disconcerting that a war memorial be placed in a location more renowned for depravity and debauchery than commemoration of battles in distant lands. Placed in the centre of Kings Cross (affectionately referred to simply as The Cross), Sydney’s notorious red light district, it is hardly surprising that this memorial has become known locally as the elephant douche. Continue reading “The El Alamein Fountain”
Oxford Square – Canopy Drinking Fountain
In 1857 Sydney acquired a small number of these ornate cast iron drinking fountains from Macfarlane & Co, a prominent Scottish iron foundry. Continue reading “Oxford Square – Canopy Drinking Fountain”
Nolan Memorial Fountain
There are few parts of the world that the Irish have not infiltrated and Sydney is no exception.
Some came here of their own volition and some came as convicts and had less say in the matter. Today it is almost a badge of honour to be able to point to a convict Irish past. Continue reading “Nolan Memorial Fountain”
The Rambling Wombat 