Vahland's Bendigo

The official William Vahland app celebrates the architect’s lasting contribution to Bendigo’s streetscape.

Some of Bendigo’s most iconic places were designed by Vahland, including the Bendigo Town Hall, The Capital Theatre, , the Rifle Brigade Hotel and theAlexandra Fountain.

The German migrant also nurtured the idea of the great Australian dream. He is thought to have designed a number of homes called ‘Vahland Villas’ and developed a loan scheme to help people move out of tents and work towards owning their own home. Today, that loan scheme is better known as the Bendigo Bank.

July 21, 2015 marks 100 years since the death of the acclaimed architect and the City of Greater Bendigo encouraged all residents to celebrate his achievements during the year.

To commemorate the occasion the City is restoring a missing piece of the Vahland legacy and is accepting donations to reinstate a public drinking fountain on Pall Mall.

The drinking fountain is one of three significant 19th century water features designed by Vahland, along with the Alexandra Fountain at Charing Cross and the Cascades in Rosalind Park. It was built in 1881 for use by horses, dogs and humans and was dismantled in 1906.

Make your way from the Vahland Drinking Fountain site around the centre of Bendigo, to visit 9 other iconic places Vahland designed, all within an hour’s easy walking distance.
This interactive app features photographs and drawings highlighting some of Vahland’s famous designs and further information on the drinking fountain, including:

· Beacon technology for the proposed location of the fountain
· Information about the fountain and its restoration
· The pieces of the original fountain the City holds in storage
· How you can donate to the fountain’s restoration through the Bendigo Bank