The trough near the Barwon Hotel, Winchelsea
George and Annis Bills, who had no children and loved animals, ran a successful spring manufacturing business. They met and married in Brisbane. Annis died in 1910 on a trip to England. George died in 1927, and left an estate of over £70,000. A trust was set up to place horse troughs where needed "for the relief of horses and other dumb animals". The first troughs were individually designed but by the 1930s they were made of precast concrete with a curved pediment which carried the inscription "Donated by Annis and George Bills Australia". The cost of the troughs was £13, plus transport and installation.
Not many of the troughs have survived considering about 700 were installed. Some in or near Geelong are:
Geelong — near the corner of Fitzroy and Ryrie Streets — this trough is missing its pediment
Breakwater — Geelong Showgrounds — this trough is filled with plants
Lara — near the RSL
Winchelsea — near the Barwon Hotel
Not many of the troughs have survived considering about 700 were installed. Some in or near Geelong are:
Geelong — near the corner of Fitzroy and Ryrie Streets — this trough is missing its pediment
Breakwater — Geelong Showgrounds — this trough is filled with plants
Lara — near the RSL
Winchelsea — near the Barwon Hotel
The interpretive sign next to the trough in Geelong Road, Ballarat
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