ANZAC Peace Park facts for kids
The ANZAC Peace Park is a special park in Albany. Albany is a city in the Great Southern part of Western Australia. You can find the park at the bottom of a hill. This is where York Street meets Princess Royal Drive.
The park first opened in 2010. It was created to remember soldiers from Australia and New Zealand. These soldiers were part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). They left for World War I from Albany. The park marks their journey to the war.
What You'll Find at ANZAC Peace Park
This park has many important features. It helps people remember the ANZAC soldiers.
- Memorial Wall: A wall where names or messages are displayed. It helps us remember those who served.
- Pier of Remembrance: A pier that goes out into the water. It's a quiet place to reflect.
- Lone Pine Grove: This is a small garden area. It has special trees called Aleppo Pines. These trees are like the ones found at Lone Pine ridge in Gallipoli. Gallipoli was a very important battle during World War I. This grove helps connect Albany to that historic place.
- Other Features: The park also has signs that explain its history. There are lights, nice gardens, paths, and places to sit. It's a peaceful open space right next to Princess Royal Harbour.
A Special Centenary Event
In 2014, the park was very important for a big event. It was the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC troops leaving for World War I. For many soldiers, Albany was the last place they saw in their homeland.
A special ceremony was held at the park. About 60,000 people came to attend. Important leaders were there, too. The Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, spoke at the event. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, also gave a speech. It was a very moving day for everyone.
How the Park Was Created
The ANZAC Peace Park officially opened in 2010. It hosted its first Anzac Day ceremony later that year.
The park is part of a bigger project. This project was called the Albany Waterfront Development. It cost about $110 million Australian dollars. This development also included the Albany Entertainment Centre and a marina. In 2009, the Premier of Western Australia, Colin Barnett, announced funding for the park. The state government provided $433,000. The total cost to build the park was $4.5 million.
