Aramac War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aramac War Memorial |
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Aramac War Memorial from south-west, 2011
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| Location | Lodge Street, Aramac, Barcaldine Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | F M Allan |
| Official name: Aramac War Memorial | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600008 |
| Significant period | 1924- |
| Significant components | flagpole/flagstaff, memorial - obelisk, memorial - soldier statue, memorial surrounds/railings, views to |
| Builders | F M Allan |
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The Aramac War Memorial is a special monument located on Lodge Street in Aramac, Australia. It was designed and built by F M Allan in 1924. This important site was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992, meaning it's protected for its historical value.
Contents
History of the Aramac War Memorial
The Aramac War Memorial was officially revealed on April 12, 1924. Mr. E W Bowyer, the head of the Aramac Shire, did the honors. He stepped in because the Queensland Governor couldn't attend.
Building the Memorial
A company called F M Allan, which specialized in making monuments, designed and built the memorial. It cost about £700 back then. This included £580 for the monument itself and £48 for the fence around it. The money was raised by a special committee, mostly young women. They organized fun events and collected donations from the public.
The stone memorial honors 132 local men from the Aramac area. These men served in the First World War. Sadly, 15 of them died, and 11 were wounded.
Location and Importance
The memorial serves the entire Aramac Shire. It stands in the main intersection of Aramac town. It's quite large and stands out in the small town.
Before the First World War, Australia didn't have many public monuments. But after the war, memorials became very important. They showed how much the war affected a young country. Australia lost 60,000 people out of about 4 million. That's one in five of those who served. No other war has had such a big impact on the nation.
Why War Memorials Are Special
Even before the war ended, people started building memorials. They were a way to show national sadness. For those who built them, these memorials were like sacred graves. They were substitute graves for Australians whose bodies were buried in battlefields far away. The word "cenotaph" means "empty tomb." It was often used for war memorials.
Australian war memorials are unique because they don't just remember the dead. Australians were proud that their first big army was made up entirely of volunteers. These men were honored whether they died or not. Many memorials honor everyone from a town who served, not just those who died. This shows how much communities were involved in the war.
The "Digger" Statue
In Queensland, the "digger (soldier)" statue was a very popular choice for memorials. It represented the ANZAC spirit. This spirit included qualities like loyalty, courage, youth, and strength. The digger statue was especially popular in Queensland. This might be because other states had groups of artists and architects who decided on memorial designs.
Most digger statues were made by local stone companies. F M Allan, the company that made the Aramac War Memorial, was based in Rockhampton. They built many war memorials in Central Queensland. The Aramac memorial and one in Bundaberg are two of the best-preserved digger memorials. They are still in their original spots at intersections.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The First World War Memorial stands tall at the main intersection of Aramac. It has a special design.
The Base and Obelisk
The memorial is made of granite and Ulam marble. It has an obelisk (a tall, four-sided pillar) with a digger statue on top. The base is made of rough grey granite.
The rest of the monument is made of smooth Queensland Ulam marble. The obelisk sits on a base with a step and a larger block. On the front of the step, there's an inscription. The larger block lists the names of the 132 men who served in the First World War. The names of the 15 dead and 11 wounded are on the front.
The obelisk rises from this base, getting slightly narrower towards the top. On the lower front, there's a badge for the AIF and the dates of the First World War.
The Digger Statue
On top of the obelisk is a life-sized digger statue. The soldier stands with his head bowed. His hands are crossed on top of a rifle that is upside down. The rifle rests on his left boot. There's a tree stump behind his right leg for support.
Why the Memorial is Important (Heritage Listing)
The Aramac War Memorial was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
War memorials like this one show how Queensland's history has changed. They represent a time when most communities across the state were deeply affected by war. They also show how strong Australian patriotism and nationalism were, especially during and after the First World War. These monuments are important records and show what people liked in terms of design between the wars.
A Great Example of a Memorial
Built in 1924, the Aramac memorial is a great example of a structure built to remember a major historical event. It uses the right materials and design to do this. As a digger statue, it's a perfect example of the most popular type of memorial in Queensland.
Beautiful and Unique
This memorial is very special because it's so grand in size and design for a small town. It's a major landmark in the area. It's also rare to find a memorial that is still in its original and complete setting.
Important to the Community
The memorial is very important to the community. It shows the lasting impact of a major historical event. It also has a strong connection to the Rockhampton masonry company, F M Allan, as a good example of their work.
