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The statue commemorates Scottish poet, Robert Burns. It was Australia`s first monument to a poet.
On a site where had grown a large willow tree known as "The Loafers Tree` about which the idlers of the City congregated, the Scottish citizens erected a statue of their poet, Robert Burns, at a cost of £1000.
This money was not handed over to the City Council till 1897 because the donors had not chosen the quotations for the panels on the base of the pedestal. This monument was the first statue to a poet anywhere in Australia. It was unveiled in April 1887 by Thomas Stoddart before a crowd of 15,000.
Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide.
Location
| Address: | Sturt & Lydiard Streets, Ballarat, 3350 |
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| State: | VIC |
| Area: | Foreign |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.561964 Long: 143.858061 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Sculpture |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Foreigners |
| Designer: | Thomas Thompson (Ballarat, VIC) |
| Artist: | John Undy (Carrara, Italy) |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Thursday 21st April, 1887 |
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Burns
Born near Ayr, Scotland, 25th January 1759.
Died at Dumfries 21st July 1796.
There was a lad was born in Kyle
