In early 2026, the City of Port Phillip removed a bench and its plaque, which was situated at Point Ormond Reserve by the canal mouth. The seat was in poor condition, which was the reason for the Council's action.
The Federation Pathways Project 2001, bench and plaque.
Image: © VanishedVictoria
The Federation Pathways Project 2001 developed trails on historic and cultural themes in the City of Port Phillip. Benches made of native Australian timbers mark the five trails that connect to the foreshore. Look for the benches at the start of the Foreshore, Waterways, Aboriginal, Working People and Immigrant Trails.
Bill Henshall made these benches. He built them on his muddy work site by the Yarra River under Westgate Bridge. A shipping container housed his tools and provided the only shelter in a very wet year. The benches were built in the open air in the winter and spring of 2000. They range from ten to fifteen feet in length and are made from massive Australian timbers such as grey box, yellow box and redgum. Much of the timber was in the form of tree trunks that had been pier supports at Victoria Dock. The rest was salvaged from repairs at Station Pier.
Despite their size, the benches were built with few bolts. The parts are designed to slot into and support each other. The wood was milled and sanded to enhance the water-worn grain, and then oiled. The benches were transported and set into place in consultation with the many community groups who worked on the trails and who chose the bench locations.
In 2001 the design for these benches won the Traditional Furniture Prize and the Recycle Prize at the Australian Wood Design Exhibition.
The bench and plaque marked the start of the Canal or Waterways trail, and the inscription read -
Federation 2001 Canal Trail. This bench, made from historic river timbers, celebrates the waterways and wetlands of the City of Port Phillip that have shaped our patterns of settlement, wildlife habitats, parks and public works.
The bench and plaque marked the start of the Canal or Waterways trail, and the inscription read -
Federation 2001 Canal Trail. This bench, made from historic river timbers, celebrates the waterways and wetlands of the City of Port Phillip that have shaped our patterns of settlement, wildlife habitats, parks and public works.
The Plaque
Image: © VanishedVictoria
Vanished Victoria understands the reasoning behind the removal of the bench and we hope that the Council realises the historical significance of the bench and restores it in a sympathetic manner. We also hope that, in the interim, the plaque be installed on a plinth at the location, so that the Canal Trail and its relationship to the rest of the Federation 2001 Trail is not lost.
The empty site where the bench was located.
Image: © VanishedVictoria
Eidelson, Meyer Walks in Port Phillip: A guide to the cultural landscapes of a City, published by the City of Port Phillip, in 2001, on-line here
