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“Every day I walk my dog through the gardens,” Hathaway said.<\/p>\n
“There are so many water birds that come out through the willows. It’s their protection and shade.”<\/p>\n
With the tender for the project released in August, Hathaway said it’s important to have Nicholson’s work as an artistic document of the Gong before its impending overhaul.<\/p>\n
“I’m also a member of Buninyong Historical Society and we’re always looking for records of what things looked like originally,” she said.<\/p>\n
“The lake’s grown in beauty over the years. Derick Leather, a former mayor, actually planted out the west side embankment so those trees are part of his legacy.<\/p>\n
“Trudy’s piece could be displayed any time we’re talking about the lake. If we lose the willows, I think it would end up in the historical society’s collection.”<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat director of infrastructure and environment Bridget Wetherall said although the tender for the project is yet to be awarded, it’s important development is carried out.<\/p>\n
“The dam wall was not constructed to required standards,” she said.<\/p>\n
“For this reason, the City of Ballarat needs to act to mitigate the risk to preserve the Gong Dam and to also mitigate the risk of flooding to our community.<\/p>\n
“We have a responsibility and a duty of care to proceed with the planning, design and reconstruction of the dam wall.<\/p>\n
“The next available window for construction will be during the drier months between September 2025 and March 2026.<\/p>\n
“We value residents’ feedback and will continue to work with nearby residents and community members as work progresses on this project.”<\/p>\n
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A VISUAL artist is looking to immortalise the tree-lined embankment of the Buninyong Botanic Gardens’ Gong Reservoir as part of her latest project. Having lived in the region for nearly four decades, Trudy Nicholson has long wanted to create a work of art around the site. “It’s always been a peaceful and calming place and […]<\/p>\n