Call for artists to create public artwork in honour of Ballarat humanitarian

The City of Ballarat is searching for an artist to help honour local humanitarian George Devine Treloar through public artwork.

The Ballarat born humanitarian became known for his work during the 1920s to resettle Greek refugees from Asia Minor and for leading a significant humanitarian effort. His contribution greatly improved the lives of people in the Greek community of Australia and abroad.

Treloar is the son of the owners of the first pharmacy in Ballarat, with his family name still recognised at the site of the original Bridge Mall building.

For his significant work in resettling refugees Treloar was appointed to the Order of the Redeemer, the oldest and highest decoration awarded by the modern Greek state. 

The Australian Greek community, and specifically the Pontic community, also acknowledge George Devine Treloar as a heroic figure in their story of migration to Australia.

Greek migration to Australia has been one of the most important migratory flows in Australian history, making the George Devine Treloar story significant not only to Ballarat, but also to Australians more broadly.

Now he will be honoured in his home town of Ballarat.

The proposed location for the figurative style public artwork of Treloar will be installed in the Sturt Street Gardens precinct, near the Errard Street intersection.

This would be the first new major artwork to be installed in the Sturt Street Garden precinct in Ballarat since 2000.

This project is supported by Project Merimna Pontion Kyrion of Oceania, the Central Pontian Association of Melbourne and Victoria “Pontiaki Estia” and the City of Ballarat.

Interested artists can find out more information at: www.tenderlink.com/ballarat/