HUGE crowds gathered at Ballarat’s historic Arch of Victory yesterday for the grand reopening of the monument, 91 years since Edward Prince of Wales first cut the ribbon.Australia’s Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, officially reopened the Arch, following six months of restoration works.Ms Bryce arrived at midday, greeting children bearing flowers before making her way to the podium, where she addressed the 800-strong crowd.“You must have great pride in this wonderful regional centre – the grandeur of public and private buildings, the grid of gardens, elegant wide streets and imposing city structures,” she told the crowd.“All reminders of the prosperity that build your city, a city of rich history.”Ms Bryce said the Arch of Victory and the adjacent Avenue of Honour were powerful reminders of the sacrifice of countless men and women. “I think that an avenue of trees makes the most touching, evocative and powerful memorial,” she said.“This Arch of Victory stands as a lasting memorial to all those who fought for our freedom during the last century. It stands for future generations of young people as a symbol of inspiration and courage.”She said it was “uplifting” to note the employees of a local textile company, affectionately known as the “Lucas Girls”, had raised enough funds to originally build the Arch in 1920.The $810,000 restoration includes $510,000 in funding from the federal government and $300,000 from the City of Ballarat.The restoration included a full pressure clean of the structure, repairs to cornices and mouldings, installation of new lighting, application of a ‘breathable’ mineral paint coating, replacement of the roof structure, restoration of commemorative plaques and restoration of the adjacent infrastructure.Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King said the Arch of Victory was an enduring monument to the service and sacrifice of Australian servicemen and women.“Protecting and investing in heritage places enables us to understand and appreciate our past,” she said.