Atherton War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atherton War Memorial |
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Atherton War Memorial, 2011
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| Location | Kennedy Highway, Atherton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Official name: Atherton War Memorial | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600012 |
| Significant period | 1924- |
| Significant components | memorial - soldier statue |
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The Atherton War Memorial is a special monument located on the Kennedy Highway in Atherton, Australia. It was built in 1924 to remember local soldiers. This important site is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
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Remembering Our Heroes
The Atherton War Memorial was officially revealed on 1 May 1924. Mr. Grau, who was the Chairman of the Tinaroo Shire, led the ceremony. It's believed that the famous company Melrose and Fenwick designed and built it. They were a top monument firm in North Queensland at the time.
Most of the money for the memorial was raised by local women. The Atherton RSL also gave £100. There was even extra money left over from patriotic funds. This allowed Atherton to make its hospital bigger and turn it into a war memorial hospital.
This stone memorial honors 67 local soldiers who died in the First World War. Later, on Anzac Day in 1954, a new plate was added. This plate pays tribute to the 35 local soldiers who died in the Second World War.
Why War Memorials Are Important
Before the First World War, Australia didn't have many public monuments. But after the war, memorials became very important. They were the first national monuments, showing how much the war affected the young country. Australia lost about 60,000 people out of a population of 4 million. This was a huge impact on the nation.
Even before the war ended, people started building memorials. These monuments were like sacred places, acting as "empty tombs" or cenotaphs. This was because British rules meant soldiers had to be buried where they fell. So, many Australian soldiers were buried overseas.
Australian war memorials are special because they don't just remember those who died. They also honor all who served from a local area. This is because Australia's first big army was made up entirely of volunteers. These men were seen as worthy of honor, whether they died or not.
The "Digger" Statue
In Queensland, the "digger (soldier)" statue was a very popular choice for war memorials. A "digger" is a term for an Australian soldier. These statues were meant to show the Anzac spirit. They represented qualities like loyalty, courage, youth, and strength.
Most of these statues were made by local stonemason companies. Artists and architects were not usually involved in designing them.
The statue at Atherton is quite unique. It shows the digger in action, moving forward. This is different from many other Australian war memorials, which often show soldiers in a more peaceful or sad pose. The Atherton statue also includes unusual details. For example, the soldier wears a gas mask and a tin hat instead of the usual slouch hat. He is also supported by rocks instead of a tree stump. The digger originally held a rifle with a bayonet in his left hand.
The memorial used to be in the main intersection of Atherton. But in the early 1980s, it was moved. It is now two blocks north-east, on the grounds of the RSL building. Even with the move, it's still a very important landmark in the town.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The First World War Memorial is in a main intersection of Atherton. It faces the RSL building. The memorial is part of a park area. It has a gun, a flagstaff, flower beds, and poinciana trees around it.
The monument is made of painted sandstone. It has a pedestal (a base) with a digger statue on top.
The base has three smooth steps of the same height. On top of these is a larger step. From this, a tall square pedestal rises up. This pedestal has a simple cap called a cornice. The front and back of the pedestal have marble plates. The front plate lists the names of the 67 men from the area who died in the First World War. The back plate lists the names of the 35 who died in the Second World War.
The digger statue stands on top of the pedestal. The soldier is shown moving forward with his right arm raised. You can still see where a rifle used to be in his left hand, but it is now missing. The soldier wears a tin helmet and a gas mask. He is supported by a pile of rocks.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Atherton War Memorial was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place.
- It shows how Queensland's history changed. War memorials like this one show a time when people felt very patriotic. They are a record of a major historical event.
- It's special and rare. This memorial is unique because its digger statue is the only one in Queensland shown in an active, moving pose.
- It's a great example of its type. Built in 1924, it shows what a memorial should look like. It uses good materials and design to remember a big historical event. It's also a "digger" statue, which was the most popular type of memorial in Queensland.
- It's beautiful and well-made. The memorial is important because of its good design and how well it was built. It's also a key landmark in Atherton.
- It's important to the community. The memorial has a strong connection with the local community. It reminds them of the big impact of past wars.
See Also
- List of war memorials in Queensland
