OUR STORY
In 2020 the Anglesea & District War Memorial Committee launched an appeal, seeking $65,000 to build a Memorial Wall. It would honour the men and women of Anglesea & District who had served their country in various ways from the Boer War to 21st century conflicts. With the names etched on plaques, the Memorial wall would be a place of commemoration and reflection. Enthusiastically embraced by the community, and despite the many restrictions and interruptions due to Covid-19 at the time, funds were speedily raised. The formal design and planning process was initiated early in 2021, much of it by necessity managed remotely with hastily adopted new technology. By mid-2021 our plans had been approved and construction of the Memorial Wall began, yet again in the face of Covid-19 pressures.
On 27 February 2022 the beautiful stone memorial was officially opened by Hon Michael Ronaldson with a large crowd of local people, former and current service men and women and supportive military historians gathered for the ceremony.
OUR BACKGROUND
The Memorial Wall is a joint project between the Anglesea RSL Sub Branch, the Anglesea & District Historical Society and Anglesea Lions Club, the idea being mooted in 2017 by Keith Hornibrook (Committee Chair) and Angie Hunt (RSL secretary).
An onsite meeting with the Surf Coast Shire and VicRoads overcame some early concerns about the proximity to the traffic with the addition of some roadside safety fencing. Many discussions by the committee and planning authorities took place over several months regarding the style and construction of the memorial. Also generating debate was the criteria for eligibility of names for inclusion.
Finally, the hard-working committee settled on a design, and quotes were sourced. A call was put out for names for inclusion on the plaques. Following extensive research 395 names were selected. Further nominations have since been received and will in time be included on an addendum plaque.
COMMUNITY PROJECT
An Anglesea community project supported by:
WHERE IS IT?
The Anglesea & District War Memorial is located in landscaped Cameron Park Anglesea, adjacent to the Great Ocean Road and opposite the main shopping centre.
WHAT DOES THE MEMORIAL LOOK LIKE?
The Memorial Wall is built from beautiful Aireys Inlet sandstone by local stonemason Steve Duff. It is inset with 35 panels – 3 name plaques, a centrepiece and a poem – with a backlit Lest We Forget on the reverse. The surrounding garden includes stone seating in a complementary style, an appreciation plaque mounted on a boulder, and three flagpoles display the Australian, New Zealand and RSL flags. Back and uplighting enhance the Memorial.
OUR WONDERFUL SUPPORTERS
We thank all our generous sponsors, local business, individuals and the supportive Anglesea community who all contributed to the fund to build the Memorial Wall in Cameron Park Anglesea. A plaque recognising the gold and silver donors sits beside the Memorial Wall.
WHY A WAR MEMORIAL IN ANGLESEA?
A War Memorial is a testimony of the service of the ordinary men and women who enlisted in the Australian Defence Forces to defend their country for the life we have today. It also pays respect to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Although the Great Ocean Road, itself built as a memorial for all those who lost their lives in WW1 and indeed the longest war memorial in the world, runs through the town’s heart, Anglesea was one of relatively few towns in Australia which did not have its own memorial.
With 395 names now included on the plaques, the Memorial Wall provides an opportunity to educate present and future Anglesea generations about local people who served their country, both during war and peace.
OUR COMMITTEE
The group consists of 4 Anglesea RSL members: John Anderson (Chair), Angela Hunt, Jan Marsh and John Russell, David Morris and Adrian Hunter from the Anglesea Lions Club, Keith Hornibrook from the Anglesea & District Historical Society and community member Jane Shennan.
OFFICIAL OPENING
The Memorial Wall was officially opened with a community celebration on 22 February 2022.
KNOW OUR NAMES
An exhibition about the people named on our plaques – stories, photos, memorabilia, places and events, complemented the Official Opening from 30 April – 1 May at the Anglesea Memorial Hall.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
The first official function to be held at the Memorial Wall was Remembrance Day 11 November 2022.
ANZAC DAY GATHERING
The Anglesea RSL Hall remains the official venue for Anzac Day, but an informal gathering marked dawn commemoration at the site in 2022.
ADDENDUM NAMES
We always knew additional names of service men and women would come to light, and we accordingly made provision for this. These will be added to the Anglesea & District War Memorial once funded.
