ONE of Goulburn’s most iconic structures has received a welcome facelift.
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The Belmore Park Rotunda – the centrepiece of Goulburn’s CBD for more than a century – has been restored to its former glory thanks to $60,000 in funding.
Mayor Geoff Kettle and Cr Robin Saville joined IMB’s Paul Elliott and Prue Hazleton in this month celebrating the upgrade. IMB donated $30,000 towards the project – a figure matched by Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
The Rotunda, designed by EC Manfred, has held thousands of functions, concerts and events since its completion in 1899.
It was commissioned by the citizens of Goulburn to commemorate Queen Victoria’s record 64-year reign – which spanned from 1837 to 1901.
“This rotunda is the centrepiece of beautiful Belmore Park and has been the scene of many civic functions as well as great entertainment performances over the years,” Mayor Geoff Kettle said.
“It is also a popular community meeting place.”
Use of the rotunda as a community meeting place is a long tradition. Dozens of articles published in the Goulburn Penny Post in years gone- by detail such events – from musical concerts to town meetings.
While a welcome sight among locals today, the rotunda has faced opposition in the past.
Councillors in 1938 strongly considered removing the rotunda altogether as its upkeep was pricey and its design unaccommodating for band performances.
“The Mayor, Alderman Davies, said that so far as the present rotunda was concerned, quite a lot of money would have to be spent on it shortly,” an article, published under the heading ‘Suggested Removal of Band Rotunda’ in the Goulburn Penny Post’s December 23, 1938, reads.
“It was unsustainable as a band rotunda as the roof was too high and the floor was not high enough.”
A motion to relocate the Belmore Park fountain to the site of a demolished rotunda was ultimately defeated.
The rest, as they say, is history.
