WELLINGTON FOUNTAIN FLOWING AGAIN
After decades of disrepair the fountain within Wellington’s Cameron Park has been carefully restored with water now flowing from the very top to the bottom once again.
The fountain was erected in 1909 after being donated by the partners of G E Wise & Co. The fountain underwent some basic restoration work in 2000, however, since that time the fountain has been significantly weathered and was in need of further refurbishment to preserve its structural integrity and overall appearance.
The project was fully funded by Dubbo Regional Council (DRC). Dubbo Regional Council’s CEO said this project is a wonderful investment into Wellington’s heritage.
“Wellington is well known for its heritage buildings and architecture and this fountain has long been a part of Wellington’s history, so it’s got a great sense of nostalgia for the community,” said Mr Wood.
DRC engaged O'Sullivan Conservation to carry out the works which included removing more than 3-5mm layers of paint. Eoin O’Sullivan from O’Sullivan Conservation said there was a lot of elements to this restoration project. “Firstly, we undertook a thorough assessment of the fountain and realised that several different coating systems had been used over the years. We then started the project by removing 4-6 layers of paint and other coatings and uncovering some of the intricate detail of the castings”’ said Mr O’Sullivan.
The fountain is supported by four winged dragons, two of which carry a shield with the Australian coat of arms. The cherub on top had been detached for a number of years and was repaired and reinstated as part of this project.
O’Sullivan Conservation also carried out the very successful restoration of Wellington’s Winged Victory War Memorial in April 2021.
Last Edited: 17 Jul 2023