Federation Day - January 1st 1901 - Centennial Park - NSW

 

Federation Day - January 1st 1901 -  Centennial

Park - New South Wales

On The 1^st January 1901

 A British Act Was Declared, Making Australia A Federation Of States Called The Commonwealth Of Australia, & Establishing It’s Constitution & Form Of Government 

On That Day, Australia’s First Head, it’s Governor General Lord Hopetoun Was Sworn In, As Was Its First Prime Minister, Edmund Barton & Australia’s First Federal Cabinet 

On That Day in 1901, A Procession Of Dignitries Bands Soldiers, & Horse Drawn Floats Passed Through Sydney City Centre & Marched 5 & A Half Miles To Centennial Park. The Streets & Balconies Were Lined With Thousands Of People. Buildings were elaborately Decorated Celebratring The Event 

The Slogan of The federation Was “ One People – One Destiny”
 
Special Arches Were Set Up for The occasion 
There Was An Arch From France. There was an Arch From The United States Of America There Was A Wool Growers Association Arch, There Was Coal industry Arch. There Was A Permanent Commonwealth Arch In Bridge Street 
 
The Procession Also Went Past The Statue Of Queen Victoria. 

 

In A Packed Centennial Park, Lord Hopetoun, The Governor General Elect, Primate Of Sydney’s Church of England, Arch Bishop William Smith, The New Prime Minister Edmund Barton & Other Dignitries Gathered In The Specially Constructed Pavillion 

The Choir Of St Andrews Church Sang The Hymn “O God Our Help In Ages Past”

The Crowd Stood With Beared Heads. With Deep Intonation, Arch Bishop Read The Prayers For The Commonwealth 

“O Lord God Almighty, High Above All Heights, Whose Lifetime Is Eternity

We Thine Unworthy Servants Give Thee Most Humble & Hearty Thanks For All Thy Goodness & Loving Kindness. We glorify Thee That Thou Has Been pleased In Thy Providence To Unite Australia In The Bonds Of Brotherly Love & Accord, & In One Commonwealth

Under Our Most Gracious Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria 

We Beseech Thee. Grant Unto This Union Thy Grace, & Heavenly Benediction That A Strong People May Arise, To Hallow Thy Name, To Do Justly, & To Love Mercy, & To Walk Humbly Before Thee In Reveranve & Righteousness Of Life

 

 

Furthermore We Pray Thee To Make Our Empire Always A Faithful & Fearless Leader Among The Nations, In All That Is Good, 

& To Bless Our Queen & Those Who Are Put In Authority Under Her, More Especially In This Land. Let Thy Wisdom Be Their Guide. Strengthen Them In Uprightness. Direct & Rule Their Hearts, That They May Govern According To Thy Holy Will, & Vouch Safe That All Things May Be Ordered & Settled Upon The Best & Surest Foundations 

That Peace & Happiness, Truth & Justice, Religion & Piuty May Be Deepened, & Increased Among Us, & That We Thy People May Perpetually Praise From Generation To Generation 

Blessed Be Thy Name Forever & Ever. Through Jesus Our Lord. Amen 

The Followed The Prayer For The Governor General, Then The Lords Prayer Followed

The Supreme Moment Had Arrived. As Guns Brought Fourth A Salute, As Lord Hopetoun Signed His Name, That He Had Assumed His Official Duties, & Was Vested With All The Powers Conferred 

A New Nation Had Been Born  

Ta Dam La Dammus – A Hymn Of Christian Praise And Affirmation Of God & Chirst 

After The Swearing In Of The First Prime Minister & Australia’s Federal Cabinet, The Ceremonies Came To An End.

The Celebrations Went On In Sydney For 2 Weeks, & There Was Celebrations Across All States. On The 9^th May 1901, The 1^st Federal Parliament Was Opened In Melbourne

 

So We Celebrate 

 

 

The Police Offices - George Street - Sydney - New South Wales 

Before The End Of Transportation Convicts Would  Be Marched Up From Being Unloaded At Circular Quay

Up The Dusty Stretch To The Police Offices Where The Queen Victoria Building Now Stands 

The Old Police Office on George Street in Sydney refers to a historic building that served as a police headquarters in the early days of the city. Here's some information about the old police office:

1. Establishment: The Old Police Office was constructed in 1825 and located on the corner of George Street and Essex Street (now demolished) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was built during the colonial period when Sydney was still a British settlement.

2. Function: The building served as the central police headquarters and administrative center for law enforcement in Sydney. It housed various police departments, including offices for the chief police magistrate, superintendent of police, and other police officers.

3. Design and Architecture: The Old Police Office was designed in the Georgian architectural style, which was popular during the early colonial period. It featured a distinctive sandstone facade with arched windows and a prominent entrance. The building reflected the architectural tastes of the time and added to the visual character of George Street.

4. Law and Order: The Old Police Office played a vital role in maintaining law and order in early Sydney. It served as a hub for police operations, including the processing of criminals, holding of prisoners, and coordination of policing activities. The building also housed courtrooms where legal proceedings were conducted.

5. Historical Significance: The Old Police Office holds historical significance as a symbol of early law enforcement in Sydney. It represents the establishment of formal policing structures in the growing colony and reflects the efforts to maintain order and security in the city.

6. Demolition: Despite its historical significance, the Old Police Office was eventually demolished in the early 20th century as part of urban redevelopment and modernization of the area. The demolition of the building made way for new developments and altered the streetscape of George Street.

While the original Old Police Office no longer stands, the history of its existence and its role in the early law enforcement efforts in Sydney are remembered through historical records and accounts. The site of the former building now forms part of the ongoing development and transformation of the George Street precinct in the city.

Proclamation - Sir Richard Bourke - King William IV Death - Queen Victoria As Soverign 27th October 1837

 

Proclamation - Sir Richard Bourke - King Willian IV Death - Queen Victoria As Sovereign
27th October 1837

PROCLAMATION

"Where it has pleased Almighty God to call to his mercy our Late Soverign Lord King William The Fourth; of Blessed & Glorious memory; By whose decease the Imperial Crown Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain & Ireland, & all other dominions; is solely & rightfully come to the High & Mighty Princess Alexandrina Victoria; saving the rights of any issue of His Late Majesty King William IV, which may be born of his Late Majesty's Consort:

"We, the Captain-General & Governor-in-Chief Of The Territory of New South Wales & it's Dependancies, The Chief Justice, The Members Of The Executive Council, The Puisne Judges Of The Supreme Court, the Members of The Legislative Council, The Clergy, Magistrates, Civil Officers of The Government, & The Naval & Military Officers of Her Majesty's Service, with numbers of other principal Inhabitants of The Colony,

"Do now hereby, with one full voice & consent of tongue & heart, Publish & Proclaim that The High & Mighty Princess Alexandrina Victoria, is now, by The Death of our late Soverign; of happy & Glorious memory, become our only lawful & rightful Liege Lady Victoria, by the Grace Of God, Queen of The United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland, Defender of the Faith, saving as aforesaid, Supreme Lady Of The Territory of New South Wales & its Dependancies, To Whom, saving as aforesaid, We Do Acknowledge all Faith & Constant Obedience, with all hearty & humble affection, beseeching God, by Whom Kings & Queens do Reign, to bless the Royal Princess Victoria with long and happy years Reign over us 

Given At Government House, Sydney, this twenty seventh day Of October 1837
God Save The Queen
(Signed) Richard Bourke 

Governor In Chief 

Queen Victoria Building - George Street, York Street, Market Street

The Queen Victoria Building 

The Queen Victoria Building Was Designed By City Architect George McRae, As Sydney's Central Markets, & Was Constructed Between 1893 And 1898. Being Planned &
erected At The Height Of The Reign Of Queen Victoria and It Was Named In Her Honour & In Celebration If Her Golden Jubilee In 1887 & Diamond Jubilee In 1897
The Site Is Bound By George Street, Market, York & Druitt Streets


The Plan Of The Building Was Direct & Simple; A Long Rectangle at a Which An Entry Was Provided At Each End & At The Centre  Of Each Long Side. The Markets Occupied The Basement & Were Serviced By Stairs & A Hydraulic Lift. There Were Shops & Apartments On The Ground & a First Floors, Warehouses, Showrooms & An Art Gallery On The Second, & Further Apartments & A Photo Gallery on
The Third Floor. 
At The Northern End Of The Building, Extending Through Several Storeys, Was A Large Hall Used For Concerts & Balls. 

In 1910 The City Markets Were Transferred Southwards To An Area Still Referred As The Haymarket, & The Queen
Victoria Building Was Subjected To An Unfortunate Successions Of Alterations Which
drastically Changed Its Architectural Character. 
Major Transformation Of The Interior If The Building were Made Between 1917
And 1930. The Original Gallery Was Destroyed & The Building
was Robbed Of Its Splendid Interior. The Glass Roof, No Longer Used For Light, Was Replaced By Galvanised Iron. 
In The 1950's, The City Council Contemplated Demolishing It & There Was Little Evidence Of Public Opposition.

By  
The Architectural style Chosen By George McCrae For His
markets Building Became Known As American Romanesque
The design & Erection Of The Queen Victoria Building a Was A Major Architectural Achievement, The More So When Considered In relation To The Depressed State Of the Australian Economy. 





By Good Fortune The Queen Victoria Building is Grouped With Its  Victorian Fellows - The Sydney Town Hall - & St Andrews Cathedral.

Romanesque, Neo Classic And Gothic Styles Merge Under The Influence

Fine Craftsmanship In Stone, Has Rarely Been More Lavishly
employed In Australia for This Late Victorian Building


Another Example Of The Work George McCrae Is This Red Brick
Building  In Hay Street Sydney. 
A Third Building Built By
McCrae, The Eastern Market Stood In Forbes Street Woolloomooloo, But Has Since Been Demolished. 
Such a Multiplicity Of Copper Domes, The Green  their Patina Varying In Intensity With Changing Moisture Or Light. The Building Can Boast Some Twenty Domes. 

The External Surface Of The Sandstone Shell Is Elaborately Decorated. Despite The Variety Of Elements Which Make The Expansive Facades - Windows & Door Openings In A Great Range Of Sizes & Groupings, Intricate & Ornate Mouldings, Projecting Bays & Recesses, Curbed & Square Wall Surfaces - There Is Consistency Of a Decoration Which Contributes To Rather Than Detracts From The Visual
unity As A Whole

The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is a majestic and historic shopping center located in the heart of Sydney, Australia. It stands as a testament to the city's rich architectural heritage and has a fascinating history. Here's an overview of the history of the Queen Victoria Building:

Construction and Purpose:

• The Queen Victoria Building was constructed in the late 19th century, between 1893 and 1898.
• It was designed by architect George McRae in the Romanesque Revival style, reflecting the architectural trends of the time.

Named in Honor of Queen Victoria:

• The building was named in honor of Queen Victoria, who ruled the British Empire for over six decades.
• Its design incorporated various elements and symbols associated with the Victorian era.

Market and Shops:

• The QVB was originally built as a market hall and housed a wide range of shops, vendors, and traders.
• The central dome area, known as the "Domes," was particularly grand and impressive, with a glass roof allowing natural light to illuminate the interior.

Transformation and Decline:

• In the early 20th century, the QVB underwent various changes and renovations, including modifications to the interior layout.
• Over time, the market's popularity declined, and the building faced challenges due to changing shopping trends and economic shifts.

Threat of Demolition:

• By the mid-20th century, the QVB was facing the possibility of demolition due to proposals for urban redevelopment.
• However, public outcry and preservation efforts led to the building being saved from destruction.

Restoration and Revival:

• In the 1980s, the QVB underwent a significant restoration effort that aimed to restore its original grandeur while adapting it to modern retail needs.
• The restoration work included repairs to the structure, refurbishing of decorative elements, and updates to ensure safety and accessibility.

Reopening as a Shopping Center:

• In 1986, the Queen Victoria Building reopened as a modern shopping center with a mix of high-end boutiques, specialty stores, cafes, and restaurants.
• It became a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a unique shopping experience within a historical setting.

Heritage Status and Recognition:

• The QVB is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register and holds significance as an architectural masterpiece and a reflection of Sydney's history.

Today, the Queen Victoria Building stands as a beautifully restored and thriving shopping center that seamlessly blends historical charm with contemporary retail offerings. It remains an iconic landmark in Sydney, embodying the city's cultural heritage and architectural excellence

The Queen Victoria Building - George Street - Sydney - New South Wales -

April 4

On this day in 1820 the foundation stone was laid for the building that would eventually became the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) on George, Market, York and Druitt Streets in Sydney. The site has a long history as a fresh produce market and was also at one time the Central Police Court. The Romanesque architecture of the QVB as we now know it was designed by George McRae and completed in 1898.

Photo ( Old Police Court (now site of the Queen Victoria Building), George Street, Sydney (NSW)

The Queen Victoria Building ..

The Queen  Victoria Building Designed by City Architect George McRae, WasSydney's  Central Markets, Was Constructed between 1893 & 1898,. 

 At the Height Of the Reign Of Queen Victoria It Was Named in Her Honour & In Celebration of Her Golden Jubilee In 1887 & her Diamond Jubilee In 1897


The Plan Of the Buildings Is Direct & Simple; A Long Rectangle To Which Entry Was Provioded At Each End & At The Centre Of Each Long Side. The Markets Occupied The Basement & Were Serviuced by Stairs & Four Hydraulic Lifts. There Were Apartments & Shops on the Ground 7 First Floors, Warehouses, showrooms & An Art Gallery On The 2nd Floor, & Further Apartments & A Photographic Gallery On The Thirds.

At The Northern End Of the Building, Extending through Several Storeys, Was A Large Hall Used For Concerts & Balls.

in 1910 The City Markets Were Transferred Southwards to The Area Still Referred to As Haymarket & the Queen Victoria Building Was Subject to An Unfortunate Succession of Alterations Which Drastically Changed Its Architectural Chracter.


Major Transformation of The Interior of the Building Resulted From Alterations Made in 1917 a 1930. Heavy concrete Floors & Bridging The entire Space to provide For Council Offices & The city Library Completely Destroyed the Origianl Gallery Concerpt & robbed The Building Of Its Splendid open Interior.

The Glass Roof No Longer Used For Lighting Purposes, Was Replaced by galvonized iron. The Building Being Expensive To maintain Fell into A State Of Depression & Neglect. in The 1950's The City Council, Seeing no Viable Commercial Future Contemplated Its Destruction... & There Was Little Evidence Of Public opposition.

In 1980 The council Decided to Invite International proposals for the restoration & Use of the Building, & in 1981 Accepted That Advanced byu A Malaysian Based Company, Ipoh Garden Berhad. The Comopany Undertook To Restore The Structure & Fabvric of The Building To Its Original Form And DevelopIt  As A Retail Centre With restaurants, Exhibition & Entertainment Areas. There Would Also Be Underground Pedestrian Accessways To The Town Hall Railway Station & Several Adjacent Commercial Centres. The Council Would in Return Grant To The Company A 99 Yearlease 

The Queen Victoria Building Was So Named To Celebrate Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee in 1887, & Her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

American Romanesque -   It Is A Real Shame A Building Of Such Standing & Granduer Is Surrounded By Buildings Of No Consequences Of Glass & Concrete. It Was Designed George McRae. The Original Ceiling Was Made Of Glass.


Can You Imagine How Beautiful It Would've Been To Enter The Heads Of Sydney Harbour.... Past Pinchgut Island.... ( Fort Denison)

In The Early Days They Used To Hang The Dead Bodies Up To Warn & Convicts Coming To The Penal Colonty Of New South Wales....  To Sydney Town.... That Is You Played Up... You Would End Up There....


Sydney Town Would've Been Amazing As You Alighted From The Ship At Circular Quay... Dolphin... Fish..... Sharks And One Of The Most Perfect Quays In The World....  Although They Do Say That You Could Smell Sydney Town Three Miles Away From The Stench.

All Those Makeshift Shanties, Inns And Hotels Of The Notorious "Rocks" - A Place Not To Go After Dark.



The Site Is Bounded By York And George Street And Druitt Street. The Plan Of The Building Is Direct & Simple, A Long Rectangle And Entry At Each End. At The Northern End Of The Building, extending Through Several Storeys, There Was A Large Hall Which Was Used For Concerts And Balls.


in 1910 The City Markets Were Transferred Southward To The Area Still Known As Haymarket, And The Queen Victoria Building Underwent  An Unfortunate Succession Of Alterations, Which Has Drasticaly Changed Its Architectural Character. Major Interior Alterations Were Made Between 1917 & 1930.

The Glass Roof Was Replaced With Glavanised Iron...  Imagine Being In There In The Daytime With The Market Atmosphere, and A Glass Roof So There Was Streams Of Sunight Shining Throughout The Buidling... Wow. What A Difference That Would've Been To How It Is Now.

The Buidking, Being Expensive To Maintain Fell Into A State Of Depression. In The 1950's The City Council Contemplated Its Destruction, &There Was Little Public Opposition.




The Architectural Style Chosen by George McRae For His Makrets Buiklding Gas Become Known As AMERICAN ROMANESQUE.  One Other Buidkling Still Stabnds In Hay Street


The Design & erection of The Queen victoria Building Was A Major Architectural Achievement, The more So When Considered in Relation To The Depressed State of the Australian Economy At the Tmie.

Its Regrettable That A Building of Such granduer Should Be Almost Submerged Within A Forest Of Characterless Modern Piles Of Concrete And Glass.

By Good Fortune The Queen Victoria Buiklding Is Happily Groups With Its Victorian Fellows - The Sydney Town Hall & St Andrews Cathedral,. Romanesque, Neo-Classic & Gothic Styles merge Harmoniously Under the Mellow influence Of Decorative Sandstone,.

Had Sydney Been Designed in the Grand Spanish Or Italian manner, With The Generous Open Places &Linking Boulevards, The Queen Victoria Buiklding Would Have Fitted Aptly.

It's Very Sad.... the High Rises/.... The Skyscrapers... Those Characterless buildings Of Conrete & Glass.I Will Never Know & Neither Will Any Other Sydneysider, Apart From the Old Pictures, How Beautiful thecity   Was, Now Its Just A cold clinical, Symetrical mindfuck It's Not Progressive, Sophisticated or Advanced. We're A City of Strangers. I Wouldn't Even Know Who My Neighbours Are. I Don't Know What's Right &^ What's Real Anynore. It's All Cars & Plasic &Cursing Each other. We're now just Weapons Of Mass Consumoption. It's How I've Been Programmed to function

The Architectural Style Chosen  By George McRae For His and Sydney Markets Buiklding Has Become Known As American Romanesque. Only One Other Building Remains That Was Designed By McRae And That Is In Hay Street, Across From The State Theatre, There Is Strangely Designed Building. Well Worth Looking At And When Noticed It's Hard To Miss.


The Queen Victoria Buidling Is Notable For The Employment Of Expansive Barrel Form Roof Engineering Which Weere Very Advanced At The Time It Was Constructed. The Lightweight Steel Trusses Supporting The Roof And Those Forming The Structure Of The Huge Central Dome Weeew Anything  But Conventional. The Indicate That George McRae Was Aware Of The Revolutionary Engineering Methods Being Applied At This Time For Covering Railway Stations And For A Large  Public Covered Areas Through America And Europe.

The Design And The Erection Of The Queen Victoria Building Was A Major Architectural Achievement, And Even More So When Considered In Realtion To The Depression In The Australian Economy.


It's Such A Tragedy That A Buidling Of Such Granduer Is Now Submerged Within A Forest Of  Chracterless Modeern Piles Of Concrete And Glass.




By Good Fortune, The Queen Victoria Buiding Is Grouped With The Sydney Town Hall And St Andrews Cathedral, Romanesque, Neo Classic And Gothic Styles.... Had Sydney Been Designed In The Grand SPanish Or Italian Manner, With Generous Open Places And Boulevards, The QVB Would've Fitted Int.o A Position Of Dominance.


It's Very Sad. The High Rises, The Syscrapers, The Glass And Concrete. I Will Never Know, Apart From Old Picutres, How Beautiful The City Of Sydney Was. It's Now A Cold City, Clinical, A Symetrical MindFuck. It's Not Progressive, Sophisticated, Advanced. We Are A City Of Strangers. I Don't Know What's Right And What's Real Anymore. It's All Fast Cars & Plastic. We're Now Like Weapons Of Mass Consumption. It's How We've Been Programmed To Fucntion In This Day And Age.

Queens Square - Macquarie Street 

Queens Square is a small Section at the end of Macquarie Street that was originally intended to be the Civic Square of the City Of Sydney. 

Over the years, the City Of Sydney has outgrown its Civic Square, but the story of this little corner of Colonial Sydney really tells the story of Sydney itself from a Colonial Convict Prison Settlement to a leading City Of The Colonial Era. 

Governor Lachlan Macquarie's arrival in Sydney in 1820 was a real turning point for Sydney. It began to leave behind its Penal Colony past, & look towards the future as a world city.

Governor Macquarie had a clear vision for Sydney's future & wasted no time in making it a reality.

Macquarie began by renaming all the streets, which we nothing but a maze of dirt paths when he arrived, but clearly laid out with a degree of order when he left the colony in 1821. 

in 1788, there was just over 1,100 people living in Sydney Cove, And Governor Arthur Phillip Believed at the time that one street back from the harbour was appropriate for the centre of town. By the time Governor Macquarie arrived 22 years later, the population was estimated to be 11,773, and only a small amount of townsfolk lived around the harbour

Macquarie quickly realised that the town he believed Sydney would become needed a civic centre like all the great cities of Britain and Europe had. Not forgetting that Sydney had its roots on the shores of Sydney Cove, Macquarie acknowledged this by making the site of Governor Phillip's administrative headquarters (today's Macquarie Place) the point from which all distances within the colony of New South Wales - and ultimately the whole of Australia - would be measured. But being the forward thinker he was, Macquarie was not content to re-position the centre of Sydney to where it was when he arrived. He looked further south, to what then were the southern fringes of the settlement, and established it there. Today, in spite of two centuries of growth, the centre of Sydney is still considered to be where Macquarie placed it, and that is what we now call Queens Square. It never became the impressive town square he had envisaged, but it did become - and remains - the heart of the City of Sydney.

Following the British pattern of town planning, he established a town common (Hyde Park), with all the key civic elements placed around it. By the end of his tenure, his town centre was in place, though not all the elements were finished. He had laid the foundation stone for an Anglican cathedral opposite the common (the site was later used for St Mary's Cathedral); the Rum Hospital was built on Macquarie Street (part of it later became the seat of Government for New South Wales, something he would have been pleased about); the town school was finished, though the powers-that-be changed it mid-way through construction into a church; the courthouse was in the process of being built behind it, and across the road on a common axis with them both was the barracks that housed the colony's convict workforce, Hyde Park Barracks. Government House, still to be constructed, was allocated a site further along Macquarie Street that was close enough to be considered close, but not too close that it dominated the town, or robbed the Governors of his little privacy and a little aloofness.

n spite of all the elements in Macquarie's dream for a town square - orcircus  as Macquarie would have called it - being in place, why does Queens Square fall well short of Macquarie's dream for it? For starters, someone built a semi circular road around the northern perimeter of Hyde Park, which detracts from the notion that the centre of its arc is the centre of town. Also, after Macquarie left, no one stuck with his vision for the place to ensure it all followed the plan and came to pass. Some, like Governor Ralph Darling, tried to undo all the good work Macquarie did by attempting to drag Sydney back into being a colonial prison, rather than an emerging city. During the post-Darling era, New South Wales experienced the heady days of the goldrush and post-goldrush eras when thre was money to burn and private enterprise practically built what it wanted where it wanted, and it was at that time that Kings Square - renamed Queens Square, when Queen Victoria came to the throne - began to take on the form it takes today.

Its proximity to the Supreme Court in King Street has made the area around Queens Square the legal centre of Sydney. In years gone by Macquarie street was lined with the high class homes of Sydney's professions, predominant among them being the lawyers who worked in the law courts of King Street, and the doctors who place of employment was the Sydney Hospital in Macquarie Street. Today most barristers keep chambers in Phillip Street and around the Law Courts

he statue of the beloved Queen Victoria that gave the square its present name was unveiled by the Governor's wife Lady Carrington on 24th January 1888. It stood right where the people of her day would have wanted it to be, right in the middle of the circle. But within six years, trams were introduced to Macquarie Street and the statue was circled by tram tracks laid for the new Darling Harbour to Edgecliff service. Later, covered waiting sheds were being built in a semi-circle around Queen Victoria for the electric trams which took over in 1905. The tram tracks (and the statue of Queen Victoria) stayed until 1960 when buses replaced trams and the tracks were pulled up. With the tram circle gone and motor traffic increasing year by year, suddenly Queen Victoria was in the way.

The completion of the new Law Courts in 1977 was just the excuse the authorities needed to move the statue out of the way. She and her pedestal were moved to a spot outside the new Law Courts building. Ten years later, the council dug up the pavement again and placed Queen Victoria back where she was previously. Unfortunately the road had been narrowed considerably, and where she was previously was now kerbside. The statue of her beloved consort, Prince Albert, still looks across the square towards her from the opposite corner. Sadly, Queens Square is today just another intersection in the central business district, with most who drive through it oblivious to its historical significance.

The work of British sculptor JEH Boehm, this statue, which is one of two of Queen Victoria in Sydney, stood in the centre of Queens Square when it was unveiled but six years later the statue ended up in the middle of a tram loop and stayed there until 1977 when the Law Courts were built. The bronze statue is mounted on a plinth of Moruya granite.