Ballarat has historically been one of Australia’s most important cities. It was the location of the Eureka Rebellion, which led to Australian democracy, and at one point it was considered as the nation’s capital. As such, former Member of Parliament and Ballarat local Richard Crouch thought it appropriate to commemorate all of Australia’s prime ministers here.

In 1939, Ballarat commissioned the first 12 busts in the series to be placed in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens on what was previously known as the “Horse Chestnut Walk.” Most of these original sculptures were made by Wallace Anderson, who invited the living prime ministers to sit down for him. For the deceased prime ministers, he closely studied photographs and records and sought approval from their relatives.

These first busts were unveiled between 1940 and 1943, cast in bronze on granite pedestals. They cost Richard Crouch £1000 (AUS$99,000 today), and he left another £1000 government bond for future additions.

Today, Prime Ministers Avenue consists of 29 sculptures, with the most recent one of Malcolm Turnbull unveiled in November 2022. A bust for Turnbull’s successor, Scott Morrison, is currently in the works. The busts vary widely in style and realism based on their respective artists.

Some prime ministers have criticized their own portrayals. Robert Menzies laughed when he first saw his own and unsuccessfully asked for it to be removed. Malcolm Fraser’s bust was replaced because the original sculptor was unhappy with it. Gough Whitlam’s bust was stolen shortly after it was unveiled, and two others were vandalized with political messages in 2020.

However, Prime Ministers Avenue’s most serious threat has been the continuation of funding. Australia went through five prime ministers in the 2010s, depleting Crouch’s original funds. Ballarat has struggled to keep up with the frequently changing list of prime ministers, and has unsuccessfully asked the federal government for funds. Instead, the city is forced to use money from donations and their public arts program.