Cooyar War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cooyar War Memorial |
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Cooyar War Memorial
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| Location | McDougall Street, Cooyar, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1923 - 1923 |
| Official name: Cooyar War Memorial | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600825 |
| Significant period | 1923- (social) 1923 (historical, fabric) |
| Significant components | park / green space, memorial/monument, memorial surrounds/railings, memorial - soldier statue, memorial - plaque |
| Builders | R. C. Ziegler & Son |
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The Cooyar War Memorial is a special monument in Hack Menkins Park, Cooyar, Queensland. It honors the brave people from the local area who served in World War I. This memorial was officially revealed on 14 July 1923. It was designed by a company called R. C. Ziegler and Son.
The memorial has two main parts. One part is a tall base with a statue of a soldier on top. This part lists the names of 25 local people who died in the war. The other part is a smaller stone block, called a plinth. It lists the names of 110 local men who served in the war and returned home. The Cooyar War Memorial is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992.
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Why War Memorials Are Important
Before World War I, Australia didn't have many public monuments. But after the war, many memorials were built. These became Australia's first national monuments. They showed how much the war affected the young country. Australia lost 60,000 people from a population of about 4 million. This was a huge loss for the nation.
Even before the war ended, people started building memorials. They were a way to show sadness and remember those who died. For many, these memorials were like graves. They honored Australians whose bodies were buried far away in battlefields overseas.
Australian war memorials are special. They don't just remember those who died. They also honor everyone who served. Australians were proud that their army was made up of volunteers. These men were seen as heroes, whether they died or came home. Many memorials list all who served from a town. This shows how much the community was involved in the war.
These memorials also show Australia's loyalty to the British Empire. They also show the skills of local builders and artists. In Queensland, statues of soldiers were very popular. Other states often chose tall, pointed monuments called obelisks.
Many World War I memorials have been updated. They now include names from later wars. Some have also been moved or repaired over time.
The "Digger" Statue
The most common type of war memorial in Queensland is the "digger" statue. Communities liked this choice the most. The digger statue represents the ANZAC Spirit. It shows what people thought was the ideal Australian soldier. These qualities included loyalty, courage, youth, and innocence.
The digger statue was mostly seen in Queensland. Other states had groups of artists and architects. These groups helped decide how memorials should look. Artists and architects didn't always like the digger statue.
Most of these statues were made by local stone companies. However, some were made by artists or brought in from other countries. The base of the Cooyar memorial was made by R. C. Ziegler and Son. They were monumental masons from Toowoomba. But the soldier statue itself was brought from Italy.
R. C. Ziegler and Son started their business around 1902. They made many memorials across south-western Queensland. The company later moved to Bundaberg.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The Cooyar War Memorial is in Hack Menkins Park. This park is next to the main road through Cooyar. The memorial has two parts: the main monument and a smaller stone block. Both are surrounded by a white metal fence. The fence has decorative points shaped like a fleur-de-lis.
The main monument is about 5.10 meters (about 16.7 feet) tall. It has a base, called a pedestal, with the soldier statue on top.
The memorial is made of marble. It sits on a two-step stone base. The pedestal itself has columns at each corner. The front of the pedestal lists the names of the "Brave Boys who fell in the Great War." The columns have carved tops and simple bases. They support a decorative band, called a frieze, and a top edge, called a cornice. Above this, there are sloped sections called pediments on each side. The front pediment has a carved wreath and ribbon design.
On top of the pedestal is the life-sized soldier statue. The soldier's head is bowed. His hands are crossed on top of his rifle. The rifle is reversed and rests on his left boot. A tree stump behind the statue helps support it.
The smaller stone block, or plinth, is next to the main monument. It looks like a gravestone. It sits on a concrete base. It is also surrounded by a red metal fence with fleur-de-lis points. A marble plaque on its front lists the names of local men who served in World War I.
Why the Memorial is Protected
The Cooyar War Memorial is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is an important historical site.
- Shows Queensland's History: War memorials show how Queensland's history unfolded. They are found in many towns across the state. They show a time when people felt very patriotic and proud of their country, especially during and after World War I. The Cooyar memorial, built in 1923, is a lasting reminder of this important time.
- Shows Special Design: These monuments are unique historical records. They also show what was popular in design between the two World Wars. The Cooyar memorial uses special materials and design elements. As a digger statue, it is a great example of the most popular type of memorial in Queensland.
- Looks Beautiful: This statue is beautiful because of its excellent craftsmanship and design. It is rare to find a memorial still in its original and complete setting. The memorial is very large compared to the small town of Cooyar. It stands out as an important landmark.
- Important to the Community: The memorial is very important to the local community. It reminds them of the big impact of World War I. It also shows the work of R. C. Ziegler and Son, the stone masons from Toowoomba.
