Horse trough renovation enhances local landmark

Published on 04 March 2025

Recent restoration works on Mansfield’s historic horse trough have brought new life to its original engravings.

Weathering over time had made the engravings difficult to read and appreciate. Council sought recommendations from monumental masons and ultimately engaged Baker Design Co. to enhance the engravings with hand-painted black enamel, preserving the historic trough and its text.

The trough was originally donated to the town in 1914 by a woman known only as Mrs Mandby of England. It serves as a memorial to her brother, George Fitzmaurice, who served as the Secretary of Mansfield’s hospital. For over 110 years it has remained in its current location near the High Street roundabout, sitting between the Mansfield Hotel and the former Bank of New South Wales building.

The trough is crafted from English granite and weighs an impressive 3.5 tonnes. It has engravings on 3 sides, including the commemoration of Mr Fitzmaurice, some lines of verse and what is believed to be a credit to the manufacturer.

The verse is taken from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and reads:

"He prayeth best who loveth best

All things both great and small;

For the dear God who loveth us,

He made and loveth all."

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said restoring the trough was part of preserving local history.

“By restoring the engravings, we’re giving new life to one of Mansfield’s historical landmarks,” he said.

“The works also give our community a chance to revisit the stories of people who made an important contribution in the past and to keep those stories going.

“We’re grateful to everyone who contributed their knowledge and skills to the project,” Cr Rabie said.

The restoration was funded with $1,650 from Council’s budget.