New statue for Sturt Street

A HUMANITARIAN who aided members of the Pontian Greek community during troubles in the north-east region of Anatolia will be recognised with a new statue in Sturt Street.

The lasting tribute to George Devine Treloar will be located on the west-side of the intersection with Errard Street and is being funded by the Central Pontian Association, the Merimna of Pontian Ladies of Oceania and the City of Ballarat.

“He [Mr Treloar] gave a significant layer of support to women and certainly children, with a focus on refugee children,” City of Ballarat mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh said.

Mr Treloar, who was the son of the first pharmacy owners in Ballarat and he went on to do significant work within the Pontian Greek community where he helped refugees find lasting safety.

“If it wasn’t for him, I may not be here talking to you today,” said Central Pontian Association spokesperson Litsa Anthanasiadis.

“He assisted over 108,000 refugees from Asia Minor resettle back in Greece. That’s where the humanitarian Treloar comes into play, that’s where he assisted them.”

The statue will be made from bronze by artist Lis Johnson, who’s created works for places like the MCG and Melbourne Park.

Johnson’s sculpture will be the first time a woman has created a statue for the Sturt Street Gardens.

“It’s a thrill and an honour and a little bit scary,” she said.

“I’m happy to be including a sculpture of a little girl as part of my composition. What I read was most of the refugees he rescued were women and children. She’s not a famous little girl, she stands for the whole community.”

The George Devine Treloar statue will mark the first time nearly 20 years that a monument has been erected in the Sturt Street Gardens.

Ms McIntosh encouraged other groups to make submissions to council regarding future inclusions in the space.

“We would love to see many more individuals recognised in Ballarat. Those significant stories and messages of history being collated and being presented here for everyone to celebrate,” she said.