Frederick Joseph Walker Fountain

Public Art : Frederick Joseph Walker Fountain ( aka Frederick Joseph Walker Memorial)

Sculptor : © Gerard Havekes

Date Unveiled : 15th of February, 1961

Description : The fountain features a a pre-cast concrete circular dish which is set on a pebblecrete finished cylindrical base. The edge of the dish is edged in bronze. The inside of the dish is randomly tiled with glazed patterned tiles, in various colors of terracotta, yellow, white and green. Right smack dab in the middle of the dish is a water spout .

Location : South Western section of Hyde Park, Sydney, Australia.

Inscription :

History of the Frederick Joseph Walker Fountain: The Frederick Joseph Walker Fountain is part of the Frederick Joseph Walker memorial, which was presented to the City of Sydney by his family, in 1961. The fountain is located right next to "part two" of the memorial, the Labours and Beauty of Pioneering Mankind sculpture . Yes, that 4.5m sandstone carving, which seems totally unrelated, is part of the dedication to Fred. As indicated in the photo to the right.

To Be or Not To Be : The Frederick Joseph Walker Memorial has been recommended for removal from Hyde Park. The reason given is that it does not add to the cultural significance of the park . I must say the fountain does look out of place, but I do like the quirky sculpture.

So who is Fredrick Joseph Walker Anyway ? : I think half the problem with this memorial is, nobody knows who Fredrick Joseph Walker is. Even googling him turns up nada. I did , however, find a mention of a Frederick Walker who was a pastoral superintendent, police officer and squatter during the 1840's -1860's. This Walker was commissioned in 1861 to search for Burke and Wills and later to find the best route for a telegraph line from Cardwell to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Could this be the same Frederick Joseph Walker ?

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