The Fitzroy Cricket, Football,
Bowling, Baseball and Tennis
Clubs 1914 — 1918
War Memorial Pergola
- Edinburgh Gardens, North Fitzroy,
Melbourne
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0 PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF MEMBE4?-91WHO FELL IN THE CHEAT WAR 1914-1919.
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War Memorial:
Catalogue no; 06
War Memorial
MONUMENT TYPE:
CATALOGUE NO
War Memorial 1914-1918
06
VCCCM REPORT PAGE NO:
INSPECTION DATE:
28-07-98
INSPECTED BY:
at
TITLE •
War Memorial 1914-1918
MAKER:
unknown
ARTIST INTERVIEW:
unknown
MAKERS MARK AND LOCATION.:
DATE:
CITY/AREA :
Fitzroy
LOCATION:
Edinburgh Gardens
OWNER:
City of Yarra
GPS POSITION:
HEIGHT:
c 4.500 metres
WIDTH:
c 7.900 metres
DEPTH:
5.590 metres
dimensions Estimated or Measured:
DESCRIPTION:
VCCCM dimensions
24
War Memorial:
Catalogue no; 06
War Memorial 1914-1918
25
A cast concrete pergola structure with marble inscription panel fixed to the top central beam,
commemorating the First World War.;
MATERIAL COMPONENTS:
Reinforced concrete
marble
Surface and paint finish sequences:
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INSCRIPTIONS
This memorial has been erected by
The Fitzroy Cricket, Football, Bowling, Baseball and Tennis Clubs
To perpetuate the memory of members who fell in the Great War 1914-1918.
ENVIRONMENT •
The monument is positioned on the southern wall of the Bawling Club and thus is shaded from most of the
sun. The surrounding trees and overgrowth ensure that the concrete structure receives very little light.
CONDITION:
Concrete
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The concrete structure displays one main defect relating to stresses and corrosion. The horizontal beams will
naturally deflect downwards in their centres creating tension forces along their lower edges. These tension
forces have caused spalling of the underside of the beams in several places, exposing the mild steel
reinforcement within. Some of these spans have obviously delaminated in the past as there are a number of
cement repairs to the beams. In other cases the concrete has not yet detached but very obvious cracks have
developed.
While the tension cracks are of concern they serve more importantly to allow water to enter the concrete and
cause corrosion of the steel reinforcement. This will lead to expansion resulting in further deLamination of
the concrete.
Lesser cracks occur in the vertical columns and piers due again to compression. These cracks are of less
concern structurally however any opportunity for water to enter the structure should be considered a serious
defect requiring urgent remediation.
The concrete is covered in biological growth due to its sheltered location but this is not damaging or visually
disturbing.
An early photograph held at Fitzroy Library is reproduced on the next page. It can be seen that the urns
along the top of the structure have since been removed.
Marble
The marble is in sound structural condition but has become exceedingly stained by biological agents. The
early photograph shows this plaque to be located on the western end of the structure. It has been relocated to
accommodate the rather obtrusive rendered building at this end of the monument.
PREVIOUS CONDMON (VCCCM SURVEY)
War Memorial:
Catalogue no; 06
War Memorial 1914-1918
26
The 1995 Report refers to missing urns evident in the photograph held at Fitzroy Library (Reg no 1198). A
section of this photograph is reproduced below. The report also raises concerns about the structural stability
of the monument through the destabilizing effect of corrosion. While this is ultimately true, the structure is
not in imminent danger of collapse and a greater degree of delamination would ensue before the steel
became corroded through and the beams weakened.
act sta
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Fitzroy Library photiZrapCi.1198
CONDMON OF SERVICES:
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None required
GRAFFM / VANDALISM:
None evident
PROPOSED TREATMENT:
While the structure is very poorly sited due to subsequent development, it is unlikely that it would find
another location within Edinburgh Gardens. It is equally unlikely that the site could be improved through
removal of surrounding buildings.
To stabilize the monument and improve its appearance and accessibility to the public a number of actions
should be considered.
Stabilization
•
•
•
•
Remove all previous repairs to expose steel reinforcement.
Inject all cracks with limewater to increase alkalinity around steel.
Inject all cracks with epoxy resin to coat steel with resin and to fill cracks.
Surface grout and reconstruct surface to match surrounding concrete.
Visual improvement
•
•
•
It
Remove all undergrowth from within the columns of the Pergola
Prune all vegetation around perimeter to improve visual aspect and to increase air circulation
Poultice clean marble plaque to make legible.
War Memorial:
•
•
•
•
Catalogue no; 06
War Memorial 1914-1918
27
Pressure clean concrete to reduce biological growth.
Redevelop the Pergola to provide it with some useful function. This will include development of the
plantings to enhance the visual aspect. Improved usability may simply require a few seats to provide a
resting place or be as developed as an outdoor chess board or similar attraction that will provide
entertainment for passers by.
Remove the building tot he west and direct a pathway through the monument to restore its function
Replace the missing urns.
10-15,000
TREATMENT COST:
$
TREATMENT PRIORITY:
1.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE:
Light pressure clean.
Prune adjoining plants.
MAINTENANCE COST:
$
MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY:
2-4 YEARS
400
PREVIOUS TREATMENT:
IMPLICATIONS FOR NO TREATMENT:
The structure is deteriorating at a slow rate and will not collapse within the next five years, given the surface
indicators.
NEAREST WATER POINT:
ELECTRICITY:
SCAFFOLD REQUIRED:
TREATMENT DATE:
TREATMENTS:
30 m
generator
2.4 x 1.8 x 3.0
64
THE GREAT WAR AND FOOTBALL: 1915-18
frat Cooper, Killed in action
1917.
Arthur Harrison, Killed in action
1917.
back almost every Magpie advance_ For Fitzroy, Gordon Rattray and
its other forward line gars, Freak and Parratt.
Len Wigraft both wasted chances and it was left to the brilliant Freake
Final soores: Callingwood. 9 goals 20 behinds (74) to Fitzroy.) goals
to kick the goal to put Fitzroy back in front — this time by just one
9 behinds (39).
At the end of the season the Club was saddened to hear that its
point.
Collingwood answered with a behind which levelled the scores. The
1.912 captain, and a former committee man, Jack Cooper, had been
Woodsmen kicked another goal, but immedia
' tdy Wigraft replied with
killed in action overseas. Cooper played 135 games for &atop between
a major score for Fitzroy. By three-quarter time Fitzroy had struggled
1907 and 1915 and had been captain of the Victorian Team_ Another
former player, Arthur Harrison, had also been killed in action_
to a one point lead.
Fitzroy took the initiative at the start of the last quarter, but again
wasted easy chances until Ratnray found P-arratt, who notched up
1918: The War En&
Fitzroy's sixth goal. Within minutes Collingwood had answered
through Curtis. Both teams were playing desperate-football. Both were
As news was reaching Australia that the war might soon end, Essendon
making mistakes in front of goal.
. and St Kilda decided to return to the competition. However, since
Minutes before the final bdl, scotes were again-level_ -Then according
the end of the previous season a number of Fitzroy players had left
to the Algal, after a 'meteoric dash' by Parr-au through a pack of • the Club for military service and war work, including Percy Parma,
players on Fitzroy's forwatd line, he snapped a goal. A minute later
Gordon Rattray, and Jim Toohey. Their departure left a large hole
Freake ran into an undefended goal and booted Fitzroy's eighth goal.
in Fitauy's attack and defence. As a tesuk, the Club started the season
Time had run out for Collingwood_ Just before the bell Reynolds
with many new untried players and suffered the humiliation of defeat
kicked the Magpies' seventh goal. But Collingwood's answer was too
by St Kilda by six points in the first game of the season_ It was to
late, and Fitzroy had won- One of the most exciting finals of the era
be a poor year for Fitzroy. The team won 6 of the 14 home and away
by just one goal.
games. and finished in fifth position on the ladder. It was the fiat
Final scores Fitzroy, 8 goals 10 behinds (58) to Collingwood, 7 goals
year since 1.913 that it had finished outside the four.
10 behinds (52).
The Club also slated the loss ofjohn McMahon, its first president,
who died on 1 April 1918. Added to this blow was news that another
1917: Grim( Final
former player, Harold Collins, had been killed in action.
Fitzroy met Collingwood in the grand final on 22 September. If the
2800(3 people at the M.C.G. were expecting a top game they were
to be disappointed.
Fitzroy suffered a complete reversal of its earlier stunning form_ At
quarter-time it trailed by 12 points and at half-time also by 12 points_
An early third term revival by Fitzroy was soon stopped by Coilingwood men, who, in the end, can out winners by chitty-five points.
Only the poor kicking of Collingwood saved Fitzroy from a more
humiliating defeat. One of the major reasons for Fitzroy's defeat was
the failure of Tom Heaney at centre-forward and the poor form of
To honour its war dead, Fitzroy announced that in co-operation
with the cricket dub and other local dubs which used the ground,
a permanent memorial to Club members would be built. The memorial, which still stands, was built adjacent to the main entrance to
the grandstands at the Brunswick Street ground.
By the time the annual report was released in early 1919 the armistice'
had been signerL The Club made the point ofpraising the role played
by Australia in the war, telling members that 'Australians have always
played the game, and in this war of wars have proved themselves the
greatest of sportsmen.'
Ck.."
THE GREAT WAR AND FOOTBALL: 1915-18
65
CEJ
Fitzroy pointed out that once again players had only been paid outof-pocket expenses in 1918, 'thus illustrating in no uncertain manner
their belief in helping their comrades who were away fighting in other
lands. Pride is felt by your Club in knowing that, in men and money,
it has worthily done its share in the world's greatest struggle
Design of Fitzroy Sportsmen Memorial to be erected to perpetuate the memory
of members who have made the Supreme Sacrifice in the
World War, 1914-18_
Sketch of War Men:arid,
reproduced in 1918 Annual
R,port.
W L ATHERTON&CO PTY03
95870730
FITZROY FOOTBALL CLUB.
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