Sundial, Central Park, Stawell, Victoria, Australia
Posted by: 
NGShire
S 37° 03.476 E 142° 46.493
54H E 657809 N 5897227
Situated in the garden at the rear of the grandstand, this memorial seat and sundial is made of Grampians freestone. It was unveiled on May 29th 1931 by Miss J Simmons, in memory of her father, Mr. W. G. Simmons, an owner of the Oriental Mine
Waymark Code: WMGE33
Location: Victoria, Australia
Date Posted: 02/20/2013
Views: 7
A beautiful publically accessible sundial and large curved seat with dedication inscription, set in the gardens at Central Park.
The sundial was designed by Mr. Charles James Merfield, assistant astronomer at the Melbourne Observatory, and the pedestal and seat were designed by Mr. H. Deabrow-Annear. The stone work was carried out by Messrs. Vaughan and Lodge, of Melbourne, Stawell freestone being used in the construction. The sundial was specially designed for this particular locality and can be used only in the district of Stawell. After completing his task Mr. C. J. Merfield was killed in a motor accident when coming to Stawell to choose a site for the memorial, and the task was completed by his son, Mr. Theo Merfield.
Mr. W. G. Simmons and his brother, the late Mr. Edward Simmons were the chief shareholders in the Oriental mine, which in the 1880s was one of the richest gold- mines in Victoria.
(Historic information taken from The Argus newspaper Saturday 30th of May 1931 – accessed via the digitized newspaper archive at the National Library of Australia (
visit link) )