Maroon War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maroon War Memorial |
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Maroon War Memorial, 2008
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| Location | Boonah - Rathdowney Road, Maroon, Scenic Rim Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1920 |
| Architect | Frank Williams and Co |
| Official name: War Memorial & Memorial Enclosure | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600036 |
| Significant period | 1920- (social significance) 1920-1940s (historical) 1920-1940s (fabric) |
| Significant components | memorial - soldier statue, memorial - honour board/ roll of honour, time capsule, tree groups - avenue of, flagpole/flagstaff |
| Builders | Frank Williams and Co |
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The Maroon War Memorial is a special place in Maroon, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1920 by Frank Williams and Co. This memorial is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical site. It stands on the Boonah - Rathdowney Road, within the grounds of the Maroon State School.
Why Was the Memorial Built?
The Maroon War Memorial was built and officially opened in 1920. Its main purpose was to honor the brave men from the Maroon area. These men served in the armed forces during World War I, which lasted from 1914 to 1918. The memorial is a way for the community to remember their service and sacrifice.
Maroon: A Farming Community
In 1920, Maroon was a farming area in Queensland. It was located about 30 kilometers south of Boonah. The land was first used for farming in the 1840s. The name "Maroon" comes from an Indigenous word, "Murrun," which means "sand goanna." This name refers to nearby Mount Maroon.
As more farming families moved to the area, the Maroon Provisional School opened in 1891. Since Maroon didn't have a town center, the school quickly became a very important place for the community.
Maroon's Role in World War I
When World War I started in 1914, Maroon was a small, quiet farming community. Many people there worked in dairying. Even though it was a small place, 42 men from just 35 families joined the war effort. Sadly, 17 of these men died. This meant about 40% of the Maroon soldiers did not return home. This was a very high number compared to the national average of 20%.
Across Australia, over 300,000 volunteers fought in the war. About 60,000 of them died. Almost every community in Australia was affected by this huge war.
Building the Memorial
After the war, many towns and communities in Australia built memorials. These monuments showed how grateful and sad the nation was. Maroon decided to build one too. In 1919, a local committee was formed. They raised money from the community to build a memorial and an honor stone. They also wanted to plant an avenue of trees and put up a flagpole at the Maroon State School.
The committee chose a company called F Williams & Co. from Ipswich to design and build the memorial. Frank Williams, who started the company, was known for his work with marble. He designed many war memorials in southeast Queensland. These included "digger" statues in places like Ipswich, Boonah, and Maroon.
The Memorial's Design
The Maroon War Memorial features a "digger" statue. A "digger" is a common nickname for an Australian soldier. This statue stands on top of a tall column. The column rests on a large base called a pedestal and a plinth. The whole memorial is made from sandstone with special marble panels for inscriptions. It stands about 5.3 meters (17.5 feet) tall.
The memorial cost about £300 to build, which was a lot of money back then. Local volunteers helped build a timber fence around it.
Unveiling and Later Additions
General Sir William Birdwood, who led the Australian Imperial Force during the war, visited many communities after the war. He officially unveiled the Maroon War Memorial on May 21, 1920. During his visit, he also gave medals to 14 local soldiers who had returned home.
Later, an honor board was added to the memorial. This board lists the names of 42 local men and women who served in World War II.
Today, the Maroon War Memorial is still used for annual ANZAC Day ceremonies. Local volunteers help maintain the memorial and its surrounding area. Money collected on Anzac Day helps pay for repairs.
In 1991, a time capsule was buried at the base of the memorial. This was done to celebrate 100 years of the Maroon State School.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The Maroon War Memorial is located inside the Maroon State School grounds. It's right by the Boonah-Rathdowney Road. The memorial is a tall structure. It has a sandstone base, a column, and a "digger" statue. It stands on a stepped concrete foundation.
The Pedestal and Plaques
The sandstone base of the memorial is quite large. It has two levels. On top of this base is a narrower, four-sided shaft. This shaft has decorative scrolls on its sides.
- Front Plaque: A tall marble plaque on the front lists the names of the 42 local men who served in World War I. Below this, another plaque lists the 42 local men and women who served in World War II.
- Back Plaque: The plaque on the back of the shaft says: "This memorial was erected by the residents of Maroon as a tribute of gratitude and respect to the local volunteers in the Great War 1914-19."
Two smaller marble plaques are on the lowest part of the base. One says: "Unveiled by General Sir William Birdwood, May 21, 1920." The other says: "Time capsule placed 21-9-91 commemorating the Maroon State School centenary 1891-1991."
The Statue and Column
Above the main base, a small section with "King & Empire" carved on it supports a tall, plain column. This column holds the statue of an Australian infantry soldier, or "digger." The soldier stands in a relaxed pose. This style was popular with the sculptor, Frank Williams. A carved tree stump behind the soldier's left leg helps make the statue more stable. The statue looks very real, but it is a little smaller than life-size.
The Memorial Enclosure
Inside the memorial area, there's a concrete path leading to the monument. There are also some trees planted. Two mature trees, possibly cypress trees, stand on either side of the path. They frame the view of the memorial. Cypress trees are often linked to World War I memorials. They can symbolize the Battle of Lone Pine at Gallipoli, a very tough battle.
A tall metal flagpole stands directly behind the memorial. The fence around the area is made of metal pipe. In the distance, Mount Maroon rises dramatically, creating a beautiful background for the memorial.
Why This Place is Important
The Maroon War Memorial and its surrounding area are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This happened on October 21, 1992. It's important for several reasons:
Queensland's History
The Maroon War Memorial helps us understand Queensland's history. It shows how communities reacted to the huge loss of Australian lives in World War I. Many towns built memorials to honor their soldiers. Each monument is a unique record of that time. War memorials, especially those with "digger" statues, show what people liked in art and design back then. The Maroon memorial is special because of its large size. This size shows how much the Maroon community suffered during the war. It also shows the work of Frank Williams, a stonemason who designed many World War I memorials.
Cultural Significance
The Maroon War Memorial is a great example of a commemorative structure. It was built to be a lasting reminder of a major historical event. Its design and the materials used make it a strong and complete example of its kind.
Aesthetic Value
The location of the memorial is also important. It's within the school grounds and faces the Boonah-Rathdowney Road. This setting makes the memorial stand out and adds to its beauty and importance.
Community Connection
The Maroon War Memorial is very important to the local community. It has a strong and ongoing connection with the people of Maroon. It reminds them of the impact of a major historical event. It is also the main place for their annual Anzac Day ceremonies, where they remember those who served.
