Installed in 1881, the fountain sat at the junction of Bridge Street and Pall Mall and together with the Alexandra Fountain was intended to visually balance Pall Mall, whilst also forming a triangle of fountains with the Cascades in Rosalind Park.

Used for horses, dogs and humans, the multi-faceted fountain was made of granite and featured four gas lights atop a central column and water flowed out of the mouths of four metal lions into large granite basins. There were also many decorative elements including scroll-shaped supports to connect the central column to the fountain below.

Mayor Cr Peter Cox said the fountain is like a missing piece of a puzzle.

“The drinking fountain was dismantled in 1906 to make way for the Discovery of Gold monument that is still in place today. Parts of the fountain are either lost or broken and what is left has been in storage for a number of years,” Cr Cox said.

“It would be wonderful to see this fountain restored and reinstated along Pall Mall during a time that celebrates the legacy of Vahland. Naturally, there is much work that needs to be done as the cast iron gas light fittings and some supports are missing and will need to be remade in keeping with the original design.

“It will be important to carefully consider how we can preserve this heritage fountain. It isn’t just a Vahland masterpiece, it also has great significance because the granite elements were made by another prominent local architect of the time, William Beebe, and local ironmonger James Connelly created the gas light fittings.

“To restore the fountain would be a win for our wonderful city, which has a glowing reputation for caring for its historical treasures.”

Throughout May the 2015 National Trust Heritage Festival will recognise, celebrate and communicate the achievements of Vahland.

To make it easy for people to further acquaint themselves with the talents of the German migrant, the City, supported by the National Trust and Bendigo Bank, have prepared five maps that take in the architectural highlights of Vahland’s career across Greater Bendigo.

People will be able to take self-guided walking tours through the Bendigo CBD and the hospital precinct, or drive through Eaglehawk, head to the east and loop through White Hills, Elmore, Axedale and Heathcote, or out to the west through Kangaroo Flat, Marong and Ravenswood.

For more information on a range of Vahland-themed events visit www.celebratevahland.com.au