Golden Jubilee of Queen VictoriaPrint Page

The drinking fountain commemorates the golden jubilee of the reign of Queen Victoria in 1887. The fountain was completed in 1888. The fountain was originally located in front of the post office but was removed in 1928 to make way for the war memorial. 

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 new public offices at Kew, which have recently been erected by the Government, at a cost of £11,000, will be opened tomorrow for the transaction of public business. The buildings are situated on the triangular shaped piece of land at the intersection of Bulleen and Cotham roads, in the centre of the township. They are of very handsome design, and comprise post and telegraph office, court house aud police quarters. No arrangements have been made for a ceremonious opening. The structure is designed after the Queen Anne style of architecture; all the outer walls are finished in red brick, with black pointing, alternated with columns and other ornamental cement work, designed and colored so as to resemble Portland stone. Terracotta has been freely used about the windows, and also as a decoration in many other places, the ridge of the roof being surmounted with a cresting of the same material. The roof is of blue slate, with grey bands. Directly in front of the buildings there is a small reserve on which a Jubilee fountain, 21 feet in height, is being erected by the Kew council, at a cost of £150. 
Age (Melbourne), 8 May 1888.

Location

Address:	Cotham Road , Alexandra Gardens, Kew, 3101
State:	VIC
Area:	AUS
GPS Coordinates:	Lat: -37.80725 Long: 145.032806 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

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Details

Monument Type:	Fountain
Monument Theme:	Government
Sub-Theme:	Imperial
Actual Event Start Date:	20-June-1837
Actual Event End Date:	20-June-1887
Designer:	Reed, Henderson & Smart
Monument Manufacturer:	Mr. A. W. Fenton

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:	Tuesday 21st June, 1887

Source: MA,VMR