FORMER prime minister Julia Gillard is set to unveil her bust in the Prime Ministers Avenue at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens in October.
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The sculpture was created by artist and cartoonist Peter Nicholson and was delivered to Ballarat’s Town Hall in July 2012.
It has been in the care of the Art Gallery of Ballarat ever since.
Ms Gillard will travel to Ballarat on October 9 to unveil the bust.
The invitation has been open to Ms Gillard since the sculpture was modelled, but a date has only been agreed upon.
Ballarat MP Catherine King, who was first appointed to government ministry under Julia Gillard, said the Prime Ministers Avenue was an important national icon.
“She has lots of commitments with the work she’s doing on education, so it’s great she could come to unveil the bust,” Ms King said.
“Visitors in Ballarat go to see the Avenue of Honour and some travel to Ballarat for the Avenue of Honour.
“It is quite significant to have Julia’s bust, as she’s the first female prime minister of Australia.”
Ms King said it was appropriate Ms Gillard unveiled the bust after leaving office, as opposed to during, not focusing on the negative issues, but reflecting on her time as prime minister.
Ballarat mayor Joshua Morris said council had received confirmation from Ms Gillard’s office that she had agreed to unveil her sculpture in the Prime Ministers Avenue on October 9.
“The Prime Ministers Avenue is a feature of national significance in our beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens and we look forward to adding the portrait of Ms Gillard to those of the 26 previous prime ministers displayed along the avenue,” Cr Morris said.
nicole.cairns@fairfaxmedia.com.au
