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Home » Themes » Government » Imperial
Record Reign of Queen VictoriaPrint Page 
A fountain commemorates Queen Victoria`s record reign in 1897.
In 1897 the Australian colonies, like British colonies elsewhere, enthusiastically celebrated Queen Victoria`s Diamond Jubilee, the Sixtieth Anniversary of her accession to the throne. In Ryde the record reign celebrations were initiated by the Rev Henry Ham Britten, the incumbent of St Anne`s Church. Subscriptions were collected and Arthur Collingridge, Vice-President of the Art Society of New South Wales and a resident of Ryde, proposed that the money be used to erect a drinking fountain.
By the 1920s, increasing motor traffic, led to the removal of the fountain from its original location to the small reserve at the intersection of Victoria and Blaxland Road. In 1973 Ryde Rotary Club carried out landscaping works to the area surrounding the fountain and at the same time turned the monument into an ornamental fountain. In 1997 the Ryde Heritage Taskforce wrapped the fountain to commemorate its 100th Anniversary. An unwrapping ceremony was held on Sunday, 27 April, 1997.
Fountain Unveiling 1897Location
| Address: | Blaxland & Victoria Road, Benson Place, Ryde, 2112 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -33.816418 Long: 151.109308 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Fountain |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Government |
| Sub-Theme: | Imperial |
| Link: | http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 30th October, 1897 |
|---|
Erected by the people of Ryde to commemorate the record reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria
1837 - 1897
This fountain was presented to the Municipality of Ryde by the Rotary Club of Ryde on the 21st June, 1975
T Greenwood Mayor Ryde Municipal Council
N S Shute President Rotary
Donated by the Rotary Club of Ryde
Because of the unique design of the fountain base the profile of Queen Victoria`s face can be seen from any side (as shaded)
