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South African War Memorial

Location The Esplanade, Alfred Square,, ST KILDA VIC 3182 - Property No B6901 File Number B6901 Level State

[1/1] B6901 South African War

Statement of Significance

The South African War Memorial, attributed to the architect Robert Peck, but possibly designed by noted architect Robert Haddon, and built in 1905, is of aesthetic, architectural and historical importance at the State level.
The memorial is aesthetically important as one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau design in Victoria, in a public context. The composition and colouring is distinctive, and the craftsmanship of the faience and wrought iron work is particularly notable. Its scale and position imbue the memorial with a strong symbolic presence.
Architecturally, the style of the monument and especially the integration of decorative craft into the design, are the hallmarks of the work of noted architect Robert Haddon, who may have been largely responsible for the design.
Historically,it is significant in Victoria as one of the most prominent, and certainly the most distinctive memorialto commemorate the Boer War. The South Aftican campaign was an important event in Australia's history, as the first time Australian troops fought and died in an overseas war, and coincided with a period of growing national consciousness surrounding federation.
Classified: 07/09/1998