Record Reign of Queen VictoriaPrint Page

The fountain erected by the residents in 1897 commemorates the record reign of Queen Victoria. 

Victoria (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she adopted the additional title of Empress of India. With a reign of 63 years, seven months and two days, Victoria was the longest - reigning British monarch and the longest-reigning queen regnant in world history until her great-great-granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her on 9 September 2015.

Queen Victoria`s birthday, 24th May, used to be called `Empire Day`. There were special assemblies at school with songs praising the British Empire. Children were then given a half-day holiday. Up to the 1950s, Empire Day was celebrated in Australia with huge bonfires and fireworks.

The ceremony of unveiling the drinking fountain erected by public subscription to commemorate the record reign was carried out yesterday by Mrs Christopher Bennett in the presence of a large gathering of residents and visitors.  The fountain has been erected at a cost of £115 in a prominent position at the junction of the main street and the road leading to the railway station and directly opposite the post-office and the court house grounds. It is built chiefly of trachyte, with a small portion of Gabo Island red granite. The central portion is a polished trachyte column, and is surmounted by threo light electric lamps. The whole forms a very neat structure.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), 14 October 1897.

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