[7] The Australian 9th Division fought in both the first (July 1942) and second (November 1942) battles of El Alamein during World War II.

They halted the advance of Axis forces into Egypt and routed them, and are considered a turning point in the Western Desert Campaign.

Its aim was to put fountains in public places in Sydney to enhance their natural beauty and to commemorate families, individuals and organisations.

The competition for the Fitzroy Gardens fountain was assessed by a panel of architects (Max Collard, President of the RAIA (NSW Chapter), and Professor Leslie Wilkinson), sculptors (Douglas Annand), and the City Council.

In December 1958 the Council resolved to hold a public competition for designs for a fountain to be provided in Fitzroy Gardens that may also serve as a memorial.

[15] Woodward, himself an Army veteran,[16] was 36 at the time[16] and had studied architecture at Sydney University, and worked in Finland.

Surely no one can pass this dandelion of water gleaming in the sun or glowing with its own internal light at night and resist its fascination.

By the time one has observed this much, one is obstructing the traffic and being regarded with contempt by old men who have been studying it all comfortably from benches for hours'.El Alamein Fountain won the inaugural RAIA NSW Chapter Civic Design Award in 1964.

[26][5] An article in the popular magazine Australasian Post in 1967 stated:[27][5] 'It is probably one of the most beautiful man-made things in the land.

Since Sydney's beautiful King's Cross fountain was first turned on, little over six years ago, people from all parts of the world have asked, "Who dreamed it up?"

'Freeland's Architecture in Australia, 1967 stated:[28][5] 'Fountains were particularly popular and prestigious because of their patent luxury after nearly sixty years when circumstances had demanded a practical return for any money spent.

The El Alamein fountain designed by Woodward and Taranto and erected at Kings Cross in Sydney in 1961 is a splendid sculpture in water.

Its poetry was a sculptural breakthrough not only in Australia but in the world'.Carol Henty wrote for The Bulletin in 1978:[29][5] 'It is to Sydney what Eros is to London.

At last count 72 American companies were manufacturing it in seven different sizes and exporting it worldwide, making it probably the world's most copied fountain'.In an interview with Woodward in 1996, architectural historians Paul Alan Johnson and Susan Lorne Johnson stated, 'Australians really seem to have taken the fountain to their hearts... Australians don't usually seem to be overly enthusiastic about their sculpture or their architecture...

'[31][5] The fountain won Woodward the New South Wales Institute of Architects Civic Design Award in 1964.

The central globe is made of cast brass [in fact bronze, according to CMP] and its diameter measures 46 cm.

The water is pumped through the line strainer - at a rate of 500 gallons (2,270 litres) per minute and a pressure of 22 lb.

Through nine glory hole outlets and underground pipes the water returns into the screening baskets and back to the tanks so that it can circulate again.'.

The complete fountain head above the waterline and stalks were originally manufactured by Eric L. Williams under the supervision of Robert Woodward.

electric motor, a 3-inch pump, a 3-inch strainer, switchboards and a set of three stainless steel screening baskets.

[5] The curtilage for the SHR listing is in the shape of a triangle with its three corners enclosing the three main viewing cones towards the fountain, from Darlinghurst Road, from Macleay Street north and from the Police Station.

Within this curtilage are many non-significant or intrusive urban design elements including: roads and traffic signals; a Telstra telephone booth; a glass enclosed bus shelter; a tourist sign-post showing directions / distance to numerous world cities; a light post with multiple circular lights; a large bronze sculpture "Angled Wheels of Fortune" designed and donated by property developer Dennis Wolanski in 1988;[34] a cafe with large awnings and cafe furniture; and a significant amount of recently planted vegetation.

[5] The El Alamein Memorial Fountain is of State significance as a war memorial to the Australian soldiers of the 9th Division who fought near the Egyptian town of El Alamein in two battles which helped turn the course of World War II towards victory for the Allies.

It is rare as a war memorial in NSW which commemorates a battle rather than the loss of individual members of the armed forces.

[5] El Alamein Memorial Fountain was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 14 January 2011 having satisfied the following criteria.

The El Alamein Memorial Fountain is of State historical heritage significance as a war memorial to the battles fought by Australian soldiers near the Egyptian town of El Alamein which helped turn the course of World War II towards victory for the Allies.

[5] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

[5] The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

[5] The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.

This Wikipedia article contains material from El Alamein Memorial Fountain, entry number 1847 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 14 October 2018.