King George V Memorial
Text Version
The design of the King George bronze equestrian statue with its two bronze lions, was the result of an Australia-wide competition.
Originally, in 1938, the statues were placed in Albert Square with a street separating it from City Hall. The King stood on a central pillar, flanked by the lions which faced to the sides.
However, in the early 1970s the statue was turned around to majestically lead his subjects to battle, after Queen Elizabeth II asked during a visit to Brisbane, “Why is Grandpapa retreating?”
The artists for both the King George and Lions bronze sculptures were E.F. Kohler, R. Summerhayes and E.S. Taylor.
