Witcombe Memorial Drinking Fountain, Lachlan St, Hay, NSW, Australia
S 34° 30.532 E 144° 50.612
55H E 302033 N 6179307
This ornate drinking fountain was imported from Scotland, in 1883.
Waymark Code: WMYYDQ
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 08/10/2018
Views: 3
From the Australian Heritage Database is the following description:
"The drinking fountain was donated to Hay in 1883 by the then Mayor, John Witcombe. Witcombe served several terms as mayor, and was part of the Witcombe Brothers firm which built a number of Hay's early buildings (including the former gaol, which is also registered). The main portion of the fountain is the same as that at Bathurst, at Sydney's Railway Square and elsewhere, and is similar to a fountain at Launceston. The structure was manufactured in Glasgow. Made from cast iron, the fountain is 2.9m high and 0.75m wide. An ornate top is supported on four columns, and the fountain stands below. Five iron posts with connecting chains surround the structure. Plaques on opposite sides are inscribed with the words: Presented to the people of Hay by John Witcombe, Mayor, 1883. On the other sides is the New South Wales coat of arms. The structure is painted white, except for the inscriptions and coat of arms which are in gold. Standing on a corner of Hay's main street, the drinking fountain is an important and distinctive element in the streetscape."
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The Official Opening of the fountain was on 14th January, 1884. With a Spanish flu epidemic occurring in 1917 the fountain was converted to be 'cupless'; with a filtered water supply connected in 1989. [ex the sign beside it.] The fountain is now painted a metallic grey.
Visited: 1538, Tuesday, 22 May, 2018
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