Anzac Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anzac Memorial |
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| Australia | |
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Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney
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| For the Australian Imperial Force dead of World War I | |
| Unveiled | 24 November 1934 |
| Location | 33°52′32″S 151°12′39″E / 33.87556°S 151.21083°E |
| Designed by |
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| Official name: Anzac Memorial; War Memorial Hyde Park; Hyde Park Memorial | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Criteria: | a., b., c., d., f., g. |
| Designated: | 23 April 2010 |
| Reference #: | 1822 |
| Type: | War Memorial |
| Category: | Monuments and Memorials |
| Builders: | Kell & Rigby |
The Anzac Memorial is a famous war memorial and museum in Hyde Park, Sydney. It was built to honor the Australian soldiers who fought in World War I. The building is a well-known example of the Art Deco style.
The memorial was designed by architect C. Bruce Dellit. The amazing sculptures on the outside were created by Rayner Hoff. It was officially opened on 24 November 1934 by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester.
Today, the Anzac Memorial is a special place for ceremonies on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. In 2018, a large new section was added. It was opened by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
Contents
What does "Anzac" mean?
"Anzac" started as an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This was the name for the soldiers from Australia and New Zealand who fought together in World War I. Soon, "Anzac" became a word used to describe these brave soldiers.
The Anzacs are famous for their courage at the Battle of Gallipoli. Their bravery became a powerful story in Australia's history. After Gallipoli, they fought on the Western Front in Europe and in the Middle East.
Australia was a young country during World War I. About half of all men old enough to be soldiers signed up to fight. Out of a population of about 4.5 million, over 416,000 joined the army and navy. Sadly, 60,000 Australians were killed and 167,000 were injured. Those who returned wanted to make sure their fallen friends were never forgotten.
Designing the Memorial
A Special Place for Remembrance
After the war, people wanted to build a special place to remember the soldiers. For ten years, people debated what kind of memorial it should be. Some wanted a useful building with offices for returned soldiers' groups. Others wanted a beautiful monument for remembrance.
In the end, they decided it should be a "shrine of remembrance." It would be a place for quiet thought and honoring the soldiers. However, they still included some office space for groups that helped returned soldiers and their families.
The Design Competition
In 1929, a competition was held to find the best design for the memorial. There were 117 entries from architects all over Australia. The winner was a young architect named Bruce Dellit.
Dellit's design was inspired by three words: Endurance, Courage, and Sacrifice. He wanted visitors to feel these ideas when they saw the building. His plan was for a grand building in the modern Art Deco style, which was popular at the time.
The Architect and the Sculptor
Dellit worked with a sculptor named Rayner Hoff to create the memorial's amazing artwork. Hoff was born in England and served in World War I himself. He was in charge of all the sculptures on and inside the building.
Dellit's building design and Hoff's powerful sculptures work together perfectly. They create an emotional experience for everyone who visits. The building is considered one of the best examples of Art Deco style in Australia.
Building the Memorial
Construction of the Anzac Memorial took place from 1932 to 1934. The builders were a company called Kell & Rigby. It was important that the memorial was built with Australian materials and by Australian workers. Many of the workers were returned servicemen.
The outside of the building is covered in pink granite from a quarry near Bathurst. The inside walls are lined with beautiful white marble.
One of the most amazing features is the domed ceiling in the Hall of Memory. It is covered with 120,000 golden "Stars of Memory." Each star represents a man or woman from New South Wales who served in the war.
The Pool of Reflection
To the north of the memorial is a long, beautiful pool called the Pool of Reflection. Dellit designed it to mirror the memorial and give people a place to stop and think.
Along the sides of the pool are rows of poplar trees. These trees were chosen because they grow in France, where many Australian soldiers fought and are buried.
Inside the Anzac Memorial
The memorial is designed to be a very moving place. Visitors can explore different levels, each with its own special meaning.
The Hall of Silence
In the center of the ground floor is the Hall of Silence. This quiet, circular room contains the memorial's most famous sculpture, "Sacrifice."
The sculpture, made of bronze by Rayner Hoff, shows a fallen soldier held up on his shield by his mother, sister, and wife. It is a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made by families during the war. The only light in the room comes from an opening in the ceiling above.
At the entrance to the hall, words on the floor say, "LET SILENT CONTEMPLATION BE YOUR OFFERING."
The Hall of Memory
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Above the Hall of Silence is the Hall of Memory. Visitors must look down into the "Well of Contemplation" to see the "Sacrifice" sculpture below. This act of bowing your head is a sign of respect.
When you look up, you see the incredible dome of 120,000 gold stars. The room also has four large, amber-colored windows and sculptures representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Medical Corps.
The Memorial Today
For many years, the Anzac Memorial was seen as a monument only for World War I. But in 1984, it was rededicated to honor all men and women from New South Wales who have served in any war.
The memorial has also become a place for people to gather for public events. It is the focus of Sydney's Anzac Day ceremonies each year.
The Centenary Extension
In 2016, work began on a major expansion of the memorial. This project was completed in 2018 to mark 100 years since the end of World War I. The new underground area includes a water cascade, new exhibition spaces, and a library.
A key feature of the new Hall of Service is an artwork made of 1,701 soil samples. Each sample comes from a place in New South Wales that a World War I soldier listed as their home. This beautiful extension won major awards for its architecture.
The Sculptures and Symbols
The Anzac Memorial is covered in sculptures and symbols that tell a story.
- The Sentinels: Twenty large stone statues are on the outside of the building. They look like they are guarding the memorial. They represent different members of the armed forces, like a soldier, a sailor, an airman, and a nurse.
- Bronze Panels: Above the east and west doors are long bronze panels. They show scenes of Australian soldiers during the war.
- The Flame: Inside the Hall of Memory, a Remembrance Flame was added in 1995. It is lit every day as a constant sign of remembrance.
- Battlefields: In the Hall of Memory, there are stones from four famous battlefields: Gallipoli, France, Palestine, and New Guinea.
The Anzac Memorial is more than just a building. It is a work of art and a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of Australian service members.
See also
- ANZAC Memorial (Israel)
- Australian War Memorial – Australia's national war memorial and museum in Canberra
- El Alamein Fountain
- HMAS Sydney I – SMS Emden Memorial
- Hobart Cenotaph – Hobart's main war memorial
- National War Memorial (South Australia) – Adelaide's main war memorial
- Regimental Square
- Shrine of Remembrance – Melbourne's main war memorial
- Shrine of Remembrance, Brisbane – Brisbane's main war memorial
- Sydney Cenotaph
