Paroo Shire Honour Board facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paroo Shire Honour Board |
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Paroo Shire Honour Board, 1997
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| Location | Civic Centre, Louise Street, Cunnamulla, Shire of Paroo, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1914 - 1919 (World War I) |
| Built | 1918 |
| Official name: Paroo Shire Honour Board | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600761 |
| Significant period | 1918- (social) 1918-1971(historical) 1918 (fabric) |
| Significant components | memorial - honour board/ roll of honour |
| Builders | Wunderlich |
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The Paroo Shire Honour Board is a special memorial located at the Civic Centre in Cunnamulla, Queensland. It was built in 1918 by a company called Wunderlich. This board remembers all the brave people from Paroo Shire who served in World War I. It is an important part of Queensland's history and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Contents
Remembering Our Heroes: The Honour Board's Story
The Paroo Honour Board was put up to remember everyone from Paroo Shire who served in World War I. It was officially shown to the public in 1918. This happened even before the war ended! The Queensland Governor at the time, Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams, unveiled it.
Why War Memorials Are Important
Before World War I, Australia did not have many public monuments. The memorials built after this war became our first national monuments. They showed how much the war affected our young country. Australia lost about 60,000 people out of a population of 4 million. This was a huge impact on the nation.
Australian war memorials are special. They remember not only those who died, but also everyone who fought and came home. Australians were proud that their army was made up entirely of volunteers. These men were worthy of honour, whether they died or not. Many memorials honour all who served from a local area. This helps us understand how communities were involved in the war.
A Unique Inscription
The Paroo board was installed early, before the war finished. It has the year 1914, when the war started, on one side. The other side was left empty, perhaps for the end date. Spaces were also left for more names to be added later.
The board is a handsome design made by Wunderlich. This company made similar honour boards for other towns in Queensland. The Paroo board remembers everyone from the shire who served. It does not show who died.
Below the words "Roll of Honor" and the British and Australian flags, there is a special plaque. It says "Paroo Shire" and is surrounded by the words "Brave hearts and true, God guide them" and "Shall their sacrifice be in vain?" This last question is quite unusual. Other Wunderlich boards often said something like 'Those who answered the Empire's call'.
Moving to a New Home
In 1971, the Honour Board was moved. It found its new home in the public area of the new Civic Centre. The Queensland Premier, Hon Joh Bjelke-Petersen, officially opened this new centre on 23 April 1971.
What the Honour Board Looks Like
The Paroo Honour Board is made from a panel of pressed copper. It has many decorations carved into it, like flags, laurel wreaths, and cannons. These decorations create a rich frame around the names.
The names are listed in columns, each on its own brass strip. The entire honour board is placed on a large marble slab. This slab measures about 1.82 metres by 1.55 metres. The marble slab is then attached to a wooden frame with a bronze edge.
There are 370 names of people who served in World War I listed on the board. They are listed in alphabetical order. The empty spaces show that the war was still going on when the board was made. Like many memorials, it does not show the rank of the soldiers.
Why the Honour Board is Special
The Paroo Shire Honour Board was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is very important to Queensland's history and culture.
Showing Queensland's History
War memorials, like honour boards, are a local way to remember those who served in wars. They are a key part of towns and cities in Queensland. These memorials show how Australians started to feel like a nation. They also show what people valued at the time. The Paroo Honour Board helps us understand Queensland's history. It shows how many communities across the state were involved in the war. It also shows the strong sense of patriotism and nationalism during and after World War I.
A Unique Message
This honour board has a very unusual message or inscription. This specific message has not been found on any other honour board in Queensland. This makes it quite rare and special.
A Great Example of Its Kind
The Paroo Shire Honour Board is a perfect example of a Wunderlich honour board. It was unveiled in 1918 and is still in great condition. It is richly decorated and shows the excellent work of the Wunderlich company.
Connecting with the Community
The Paroo Shire Honour Board is very important to the local community. It reminds them of the big impact World War I had. It also connects to the work of Wunderlich, a company that was a big part of Australia's building industry for many years.
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