Water treatments in a reflection pond and running down the face of a nearby memorial wall were turned off in 2006 as part of efforts to save water during the decade long drought in Victoria.

While many Ballarat fountains were reactivated in late 2010 and early 2011, the memorial has remained dry until now.

Lake Wendouree and Gardens advisory committee chairwoman Councillor Judy Verlin said the City of Ballarat welcomed the opportunity to reinstate a key aspect of the memorial.

“Council is in discussions with the Ex-Prisoner of War Memorial Trustees on how this may be achieved.

“Following consultation with the Memorial Trustees, council will ensure the memorial reflection pond can be used for future memorial events, and will investigate possible solutions for the Lest We Forget Wall,” she said.

Click to view photos from the memorial service last weekend

The only Australian national memorial outside Canberra, the Ex-Prisoners of War memorial was designed by Peter Blizzard and includes water to signify the ocean separating diggers from their homeland.

Memorial Trustee Les Kennedy welcomed the return of water to the 170m polished granite structure.

“It is part of the complex the way it was designed and it adds a lot to the atmosphere of the place.

“I guess it has been an oversight that the water hasn’t be switched back on until now and it is good to be able to correct it,” he said.

All Australian Prisoners of War are listed by conflict and alphabetically at the site, with an anniversary service on Sunday attracting more than 500 people. “It is a very moving place which means a lot to many people around Australia,” Mr Kennedy said.

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