This public artwork Sportsman's War Memorial in Edinburgh Gardens was erected in memory of members of local sporting clubs who died in the First World War.
The Memorial was unveiled on 9 December 1919, having been funded through public subscription amongst members of the various sporting clubs. In 2018 the Sportsman’s Memorial Re-Dedication marked the completion of restoration, interpretive and enhancement works by Yarra City Council in consultation with Fitzroy History Society, Combined Tramways/East Melbourne RSL and sporting clubs. A speech by Michael O’Brien discussing the history and unique tribute of the Fitzroy Sportsman's Memorial and the challenge of identifying all 38 names that were originally on the memorial can be found here.
The original porcelain wreath once displayed on a column (which now hangs safely at Fitzroy Town Hall) has been replicated by ceramicist and conservator Jessica Taylor in collaboration with The Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, the University of Melbourne. This has been placed on display housed within a new bronze panel inscribed with the names of the fallen soldiers from the local sporting clubs. The soldiers were once listed on six shields installed on the columns of the monument but the majority were lost over time. Additionally, some signage and a large reproductive photograph showing some of the soldiers has been erected to provide further historical context for visitors to the Edinburgh Gardens.
The memorial is located on the St Georges Road side of Edinburgh Gardens, behind the Fitzroy Victoria Sporting & Bowls Club in North Fitzroy.
Fitzroy Football Club continues to lay wreaths there for their former members on Remembrance and ANZAC Day.
This public artwork Sportsman's War Memorial in Edinburgh Gardens was erected in memory of members of local sporting clubs who died in the First World War.
The Memorial was unveiled on 9 December 1919, having been funded through public subscription amongst members of the various sporting clubs. In 2018 the Sportsman’s Memorial Re-Dedication marked the completion of restoration, interpretive and enhancement works by Yarra City Council in consultation with Fitzroy History Society, Combined Tramways/East Melbourne RSL and sporting clubs. A speech by Michael O’Brien discussing the history and unique tribute of the Fitzroy Sportsman's Memorial and the challenge of identifying all 38 names that were originally on the memorial can be found here.
The original porcelain wreath once displayed on a column (which now hangs safely at Fitzroy Town Hall) has been replicated by ceramicist and conservator Jessica Taylor in collaboration with The Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, the University of Melbourne. This has been placed on display housed within a new bronze panel inscribed with the names of the fallen soldiers from the local sporting clubs. The soldiers were once listed on six shields installed on the columns of the monument but the majority were lost over time. Additionally, some signage and a large reproductive photograph showing some of the soldiers has been erected to provide further historical context for visitors to the Edinburgh Gardens.
The memorial is located on the St Georges Road side of Edinburgh Gardens, behind the Fitzroy Victoria Sporting & Bowls Club in North Fitzroy.
Fitzroy Football Club continues to lay wreaths there for their former members on Remembrance and ANZAC Day.
