Purpose

The purpose of this submission is to allocate within the City of Port Phillip Budget funding for repairs (water reticulation/pump replacement), maintenance and lighting for the Edward O’Donnell Drinking Fountain. The aim is to improve an integral park in St Kilda used for festivals, markets, recreational activities, picnics and social gatherings. 

Importantly, repair of this fountain will contribute to the revitalisation of St Kilda and demonstrate civic pride in our suburb.

Signing this petition acknowledges the following regarding the Edward O’Donnell Drinking Fountain:

1.       An historical landmark – 1935,

2.       Art deco architecture is worth preserving and enhancing. This fountain is on a register of Fountains in Australia,

3.       An important public asset,

4.       It was restored in 1988 for the Bicentenary of Australia and if deemed worthy then, it should follow, that it should be restored again to ensure a working fountain,

5.       Current in breach of occupational health and safety requirements.

6.       Enhancement to the well utilised park that includes markets, music and recreation,

7.       The City of Port Phillip projected surplus and large cash reserves suggest that they can afford the restoration of the fountain back to working order. 

8.       Would complete the Luna Park and Palais beautification project

Background

In 2021, I raised with the Councilors of Port Phillip, the need to repair the Edward O’Donnell Drinking Fountain to full operation with both water reticulation and lighting. A further issue was to ensure that the pond base of the fountain complied with occupational health and safety, keeping the water clear of debris, bird droppings and rubbish. Numerous requests for action finally led to the then Mayor Louise Crawford stating that there was no appetite among Councilors considering other priorities, however they were open to the possibility in February 2022 for receiving a submission to the City of Port Philip for funding in the 2022/2023 budget.

In late 2021, I lodged a formal submission to the City of Port Philip which was not acted upon. I now ask the community for assistance in getting this fountain fully operational.

The Edward O’Donnell Drinking Fountain

Public Art: Edward O’Donnell Drinking Fountain

Also Known As: Edward O’Donnell Memorial

Builder/Designers: Modern Art Co Pty Ltd., Clifton Hill.

Engineers: McPherson’s Pty. Ltd.

Description: The 4.5m high concrete fountain was erected in honor of Edward O’Donnell who served as a St Kilda councilor for 44 years. The Art Deco style hexagonal fountain features a 5-metre diameter circular pool at its base and three griffins atop the piers. The hooded niches on the three sides hide water spray jets which originally released fine sprays of water which at night would be illuminated by two amber tinted lights.

Funded By: Public subscription

Date Unveiled: 1935

Location: The memorial to Edward O’Donnell is located at The Esplanade, O`Donnell Gardens, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia.

Who was Edward O’Donnell?

Snapshot:

·       Six times mayor of the city of St. Kilda. 

·       Forty-four years a Councilor for the West Ward. 

·       Foundation member of the St Kilda Shore Committee. 

·       the Albert Park Committee of Management the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works and the Alfred Hospital Committee of Management. 

·       Trustee of the St. Kilda Cemetery.  

History[1]:

The name O’Donnell, be it the gardens or the fountain, is well known to St Kilda residents and visitors – more so than the achievements of the man they commemorate. Edward O’Donnell was a St Kilda Councilor and businessman. He was born in county Tipperary, Ireland in 1845. The family arrived in Australia in 1855 and settled in St Kilda shortly thereafter. Edward continued to live in

St Kilda until his death in 1933. While still a teenager Edward commenced work as assistant to Charles Gray, licensed grocer, Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. The business was later taken over by John Fletcher before it was acquired by O’Donnell in 1868 when just 23 years of age. He later opened a second store, Universal Cash Sales, on the corner of Chapel and Wellington streets.

In 1872, Edward married Bridget Brown in St Mary’s Catholic Church, East St Kilda. The couple had eleven children: eight daughters and three sons. One son, Frank, eventually managed the Fitzroy Street store and another son, Dargan, the one in Chapel Street.

Edward was elected to the St Kilda council in 1888 as a member for West Ward and served continuously for 44 years.

During that time, he was mayor on six separate occasions, including the war years. He was a member of the St Kilda Foreshore Committee from its inception in 1906 and its chairman from 1918. The work of the committee, led by the vision of Carlo Catani, gifted St Kilda its unique foreshore parks and gardens and the landscaped Esplanade belvedere that continue to define St Kilda 100 years later. In 1928, to celebrate his fortieth year on council, Edward was accorded a dinner at the George Hotel. The menu suggests it was a splendid affair with a style of cuisine very much of the time. Following his death in 1933, a fountain was commissioned to perpetuate his memory in the centre of the gardens that had, by then, already started to be known by his name.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://stkildahistory.org.au/images/pdf_docs/newsletters/issue_224.pdf​ 

https://monumentaustralia.org.au/​

https://publicartaroundtheworld.com/public-art-in-australia/public-art-st-kilda/edward-odonnell-drinking-fountain

O’Donnell Fountain, 1935 – Storey of Melbourne
 
[1] With thanks to research by Maureen Walker.