Victoria Bridge Abutment & Memorial

Victoria Bridge Abutment is the remaining piece of the 1896 bridge (the fourth to be built in that location) and the first bridge across the Brisbane River to resist being washed away during times of flood, only to be demolished in 1969. Designed by the government architect of the time, A B Brady, it is evocative of the aesthetic nature of public structures in that era.

During its life span it was a site of both comedy and tragedy, the former occurring in the 1930’s when some students as a prank placed a sign at each end stating that it was closed to traffic which resulted in police diverting traffic all day until someone thought to check up the nature of its closure with authorities.

The tragedy occurred when an eleven year old Greek boy who had joined the crowds to welcome home troops at the end of World war I was hit and killed by a parade vehicle. His ghostly face is carved in bronze relief as part of his commemorative plaque atop the abutment and to this day the Greek community assemble here for their Anzac Day service.