Sandgate War Memorial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandgate War Memorial Park |
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Sandgate War Memorial Park
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| Location | 8 Seymour Street, Sandgate, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1923 - 1924 |
| Architect | George Gray Prentice |
| Official name: Sandgate War Memorial Park | |
| Type | state heritage (built, landscape) |
| Designated | 3 October 2005 |
| Reference no. | 602454 |
| Significant period | 1920s (fabric) |
| Significant components | memorial surrounds/railings, trees/plantings, memorial - plaque, memorial - cenotaph, bollards, pathway/walkway, drinking fountain, garden - bed/s |
| Builders | Lowther & Sons |
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The Sandgate War Memorial Park is a special place in Sandgate, Australia. It is a heritage-listed memorial found at 8 Seymour Street. This park was designed by George Gray Prentice and built by Lowther & Sons between 1923 and 1924. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 3, 2005, recognizing its importance.
Contents
A Look Back: The Park's History
The Sandgate War Memorial Park is a triangular piece of land near the Sandgate Town Hall. In the middle of the park stands a war memorial. This memorial was officially opened on February 24, 1924. It was built to remember the brave men from Sandgate who died fighting for their country in World War I (1914-1918).
How Sandgate Grew
People from Europe first settled in the Sandgate area in the 1850s. By the 1860s, many visitors from Brisbane came here for fun and relaxation. When the railway line to Sandgate opened in 1882, the area quickly became a popular seaside resort. The Sandgate Post Office was built near the train station in 1887. Sandgate officially became a town in 1902, and its town hall was built in 1912. Later, in the mid-1900s, more people started using cars. This made it easier to visit beaches further away, and Sandgate became less popular as a seaside resort.
Remembering World War I Heroes
World War I had a huge impact on Australia. Over 300,000 Australians volunteered to fight overseas. This was out of a total population of only four million people. About 60,000 of them died. Almost every town and community across Australia was affected by the war.
In Sandgate, 330 soldiers joined the war. Sadly, 51 of them were killed. After the war, communities everywhere built memorials to honor those who served. Most of these memorials were built between 1919 and 1925. Usually, a group of local citizens would form a committee. They would raise money through donations and events. The local government often provided the land for the memorial. Building these memorials was a big deal for towns. They showed a community's pride and patriotism.
Building the Sandgate Memorial
A committee led by Sandgate's Mayor, Alderman William Henry Bowser, organized the building of the memorial. The design came from a well-known Queensland architect, George Gray Prentice. He worked with Thomas Ramsay Hall at the time. Newspapers in Brisbane reported that the memorial cost about £850. It was made from about 100 tons of granite and concrete.
Alderman Bowser donated the granite blocks from his quarry. The top parts and borders were made of polished Victorian granite. The Mayor said that granite was used because it would "resist the seaside atmosphere." The front of the monument lists the names of the 51 Sandgate soldiers who died in World War I. The back has a poem written by William Henry Lister, a committee member.
The first stone of the memorial was laid by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Matthew Nathan, on July 14, 1923. The completed memorial was officially opened by the Governor on February 24, 1924.
The Builders: Lowther and Sons
The monument was built by Messrs. Lowther and Sons. This was an old masonry company in Brisbane, started in the 1880s by John Lowther. By World War I, the Lowthers were one of the biggest suppliers of stone and marble in the southern hemisphere. Charles Lowther, from the family, fought in the Australian Light Horse in Palestine during the war. After he returned in 1919, he helped build war memorials for the family business. Other famous memorials built by them include the Digger at Blackbutt (1920) and the obelisk at Goodna.
Changes Over Time
In 1931, concrete posts and chains were put around the monument. They replaced an older wooden fence. Later, the names of Sandgate residents who died in WWII, the Malaya, Korea, and Vietnam were added to the monument.
On ANZAC Day 2015, a special memorial for the Niuean Anzacs of WWI was opened in the park. This was the first memorial of its kind in Australia for a Pacific Island group. It was also the first in the world for the Niuean people outside their own island.
The park also has a large fig tree. People say it was a popular meeting spot. The grandsons of Hezekiah Shepherd, who was an inspector for the Sandgate Council, believe he planted the tree in the early 1880s. He also built a seat under it, but that seat is no longer there. The rotunda, a round building with a roof, was built in the park in 1995. This was part of the "Australia Remembers" events.
What You'll See: Park Description
Sandgate War Memorial Park is a small area of parkland. It is surrounded by Seymour Street, Bowser Parade, and Brighton Road. The memorial and its gardens create a beautiful, green space. It acts like a welcoming front yard for the old Sandgate Post Office and the former Sandgate Town Hall.
The Central Memorial
The main focus of the park is the monument. It is a type of memorial called a cenotaph, similar to the famous Lutyens' Cenotaph in London. It is made of light grey granite blocks. The monument is about 2.6 meters by 1.4 meters at its base. It stands about 5 meters tall from a concrete platform. A polished granite band is at the top of the monument.
A low metal rail surrounds the platform for protection. Inside this fence are decorative posts linked by metal chains. Plaques on the long sides of the monument list the names of those from Sandgate who died in WWI, WWII, and the conflicts in Malaya, Korea, and Vietnam. On the other side, there is a verse that says:
"They died, and yet in memory shall they live, That we may know the worth of sacrifice, Know that their death is freedom's cause, Stands as a beacon light to point the way To paths of peace".
A large metal box near a path and a recently built wooden rotunda are not considered part of the historical significance.
Other Park Features
The park also has a green metal drinking fountain. Concrete paths cross the park and lead to the monument. The park is home to many mature palm trees, shade trees, and decorative planted garden beds and hedges.
Why It's Important: Heritage Listing
Sandgate War Memorial Park was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 3, 2005. It met several important criteria.
Showing Queensland's History
The park helps us understand Queensland's history. It shows the great sadness felt across Australia when 60,000 Australians died in WWI. During this time, there was strong Australian patriotism. Most Queensland communities built a public memorial to honor local people who fought in the war. Each monument is a unique historical record.
A Special Type of Place
The memorial is a great example of its kind. It is a strong and well-preserved structure built to remember people. It serves as a place for public mourning when there are no graves. This is shown through its design and the materials used.
Its Beauty and Design
The memorial and the park around it add a lot to the beauty of Sandgate. The park creates a complete and green landscape. It provides a lovely setting for the Sandgate Post Office and the old Sandgate Town Hall.
Important to the Community
The memorial and park are very important to the local community. They show the lasting impact of a major historical event. They are also the main place for the annual ANZAC Day ceremonies, where people remember those who served.
Connected to Important People
The memorial is also important because it shows the work of a well-known Brisbane architect, G. G. Prentice. It also highlights the work of the Brisbane masonry company, Lowther and Sons.
