Australian Merchant Navy Memorial facts for kids
The Australian Merchant Navy Memorial is a special place that remembers the brave people of the Australian Merchant Navy. These sailors helped Australia during World War I and World War II. The memorial is in Kings Park, right by Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. Canberra is the capital city of Australia. Its spot by the lake shows how important water was to the Merchant Navy. The memorial was officially opened on October 7, 1990, by Bill Hayden, who was the Governor-General of Australia at the time. Every year, a special service is held here on the first Sunday around October 21st.
What Does the Memorial Look Like?
The memorial was designed by architects Daryl Jackson and Alastair Swayn. It is meant to remind us of the Merchant Navy and the sea. It has seven tall structures, a raised platform, round concrete shapes, and a flagpole.
The Meaning Behind the Design
- The tall central granite column stands for "Remembrance." It helps us remember those who served.
- The six other concrete columns next to it look like the front parts of ships, called bows. They also show the waves that ships make as they move.
- The way the memorial is laid out from above looks like the Earth spinning on its axis.
- The patterns on the raised platform, called the dais, look like the camouflage patterns used on merchant ships during World War I. These patterns helped ships hide.
- The red cross symbols on the platform represent hospital ships. These ships were staffed by merchant crews and helped injured people.
- The round concrete shapes at each end of the north-south line are like compass cards. They remind us of how sailors use a compass for navigation.
- The flagpole looks like a ship's mast. It has a horizontal bar called a yardarm and another arm called a gaff.
The Memorial's Message
The memorial has an important message carved into it. It says:
- "In honour of those of the Australian Merchant Navy who gave their lives for their country and have no known grave but the sea. They will be remembered for ever more. 1914-1918 1939-1945."
This message tells us that many sailors from the Merchant Navy died helping their country. Their bodies were lost at sea, but they will always be remembered. The dates 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 refer to World War I and World War II.
