Hobart unveils garden and bronze ring at former William Crowther statue site

Hobart unveiled a native garden and inscribed bronze ring at the former William Crowther statue site in Franklin Square on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, according to ABC News. The installation places the history of Aboriginal man William Lanne alongside that of the colonial surgeon and former Tasmanian premier whose statue once stood there.

ABC News reported that the garden surrounds the remaining stone plinth, while a bronze ring carries contributions from three writers. The inscriptions address Crowther and colonial life, Lanne and Palawa history, and the place of statues in public life.

Why Hobart replaced the Crowther statue

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the new installation followed more than five years of community consultation and gave a fuller picture of Hobart’s history, according to ABC News. AAP reported that the council project cost $80,000. The two outlets described the council’s removal decision as believed to be the first of its kind for a colonial statue in Australia.

Nunami Sculthorpe-Green, a contributing artist who is Palawa and Warlpiri, told AAP she wanted Lanne’s story to be told. ‘It’s not about changing our history, it’s about widening the narrative,’ she said, describing the project as a first step toward more inclusive public spaces.

What happened to the original statue

The unveiling drew supporters and a small group of protesters. Hobart councillor Louise Elliot opposed the replacement, arguing that it erased history and saying Crowther was loved by many Tasmanians, ABC News reported.

The original bronze statue has been restored, including repairs to its ankles, and is in council storage. Reynolds said there were no plans for it at this stage, although people could request to see it, according to ABC News.