It’s a dream come true to have an owner who sees heritage and community as positives rather than obstacles. Julie Eagles
From mid 2014, our community began to celebrate the sympathetic renewal of Warrnambool’s Pleasant Hill, the Silver Ball and Fletcher Jones Gardens. The site was so neglected and derelict that it looked lost until it’s purchase by Dean Montgomery in May 2014. Almost immediately work began to weather proof and restore parts of the site. COVID slowed work considerably.
A Warrnambool Motor Museum, developed in the eastern part of the site, remains unopened due to as yet unresolved difficulties installing a working fire system. The long decommissioned water tower (AKA the Silver Ball) provided water pressure for the fire system during the factory days.
A business centre in the eastern end of the site houses several creative and community focused businesses and the large and interesting range of second hand stalls selling furniture, clothing and bric a brac operates in the western section. The middle section remains undeveloped with ideas for a possible reception centre, bar and cafe.
The gardens are 'open' to the public and the wonderful Pleasant Hill coffee and toastie van provides a place for community to gather in the gardens 6 days a week. The Silver Ball has undergone restoration and safety works and was given a new coat of paint in 2017 with support from a Heritage Victoria Living Heritage Grant. The Jones Family Foundation and A L Lane Foundations, along with community fundraising efforts, enabled us to purchase and install lights so the Silver Ball lights up for a few hours each night.
Two history panels were installed on site as part of the FJ Stories Project in 2015 and 2016. Each are 5mx1.5m and feature photographs, drawings, anecdotes and history timelines telling the story of FJ the man, FJ the business and the history and story of the iconic FJ gardens and Silver Ball.
In 2019, the famous and state heritage listed Plus 8 Man sculpture was recreated through an innovative 3D printing process and installed in the western end of the gardens.
While parts of the site are still in very poor repair, there is still hope that the site will continue to be restored and developed by the current owner, despite him listing the site for sale in May 2023. Dean has put a lot of money, time and energy into the site and he has proven to be an owner who really cares about the history and story of Pleasant Hill and its resonance in our community.
