Dunkeld War Memorial
Parker and Sterling Streets DUNKELD, SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE

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Statement of Significance
The Dunkeld War Memorial stands at the centre of the township in the north-west corner of a memorial park set on the diagonal. It was unveiled on 4 August 1929. The designer and builder of the memorial are not known. It takes a traditional form and incorporates a statue of a soldier, a temple enclosing a die, and a plinth. The statue is white marble, the temple is pink Grampians sandstone and the die and the plinth are grey granite. Typically, the names of those who served and died in both World War One and Two are inscribed on the die and plinth. Memorial gates were built after the Second world War in the south-west corner of the park. Recent plantings have occurred around the memorial which is in excellent condition and retains a very high degree of integrity.
How is it significant?
The Dunkeld War Memorial is of historic, social and aesthetic significance to the township of Dunkeld and the Southern Grampians Shire.
Why is it significant?
The Dunkeld War Memorial is of historic significance because it commemorates at a local level some of the most important events in the national history of Australia and especially the roles of those from the community who served and died.
It is of social significance as the focus of acts of commemoration such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
It is of aesthetic significance for its use of traditional form, style and iconography to express deep meaning. This significance is enhanced by its setting and location.
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Dunkeld War Memorial - Physical Description 1
The memorial assumes a typical form comprising a white marble statue of a soldier on a simple sandstone 'temple' which includes a granite die, all surmounting a grey granite pedestal of several blocks. The pedestal stands on shallow granite steps. The soldier's face is downcast and his gun is inverted. The sandstone of the temple is pale pink and may be from the Grampians. The four square columns of the temple are loosely in the Tuscan Order. Within the temple there is a polished granite block with gilded lettering which reads, on the face, "Erected by the citizens of Dunkeld and District in honour of those who served in the Great War 1914-1919 and as a lasting tribute to the memory of those who gave their lives. We lie dead in many lands that you may live here in peace." The names of the fallen are inscribed on the other faces. Names of the fallen from the Second World War are inscribed on a block of the pedestal. The monument is in a memorial park, located at the north-west corner and set on the diagonal with a backdrop of dark green Cupressus sempervirens alternating with light green Pittosporums. In the south-west corner of the park there are memorial gates.
Dunkeld War Memorial - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 7: Governing
7.7 Defending Australia
7.7.3 Going to war
Theme 8: Developing Australia's cultural life
8.8 Remembering the fallen
Theme 9: Marking the phases of life
9.7.3 Remembering the dead.Dunkeld War Memorial - Usage/Former Usage
memorial
Dunkeld War Memorial - Integrity
Excellent degree of integrity
Dunkeld War Memorial - Physical Description 2
Those who served in the First and Second World War and in subsequent wars.
Veterans Description for Public
Dunkeld War Memorial - Veterans Description for Public
The Dunkeld War Memorial, on Parker and Sterling Streets, was unveiled on August 4th 1929 by William Slater, MLA as a tribute to those who served Australia and the Empire. The designer and builder of the memorial are not known but Mr. W Ballinger was the president and C E Newton was the secretary of the Organising committee. The names of those who went to the Second World War, including the ten who died, were added to the memorial and it was rededicated on October 17th 1948. The surrounding district was being settled under the Soldier Settler Scheme, especially at Woodhouse, and the local history notes that great support was given to plant trees, build the fence and organise the gate by the soldier settlers. The RSL Sub-Branch was formed on September 18th 1946, with Donald Ross as President and Elliot Mitchell as Secretary. F J Fry received Life Membership for his work as secretary from 1952-1987. The memorial deliberately sited at the centre of the township, is the focus for ceremonies on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
The memorial assumes a typical form comprising a white marble statue of a soldier on a simple sandstone 'temple' which includes a granite die, all surmounting a grey granite pedestal of several blocks. The soldier's face is downcast and his gun is inverted. The sandstone of the temple is pale pink and may be from the Grampians. The four square columns of the temple are loosely in the Tuscan Order. Within the temple there is a polished granite block with gilded lettering which reads, on the face, "Erected by the citizens of Dunkeld and District in honour of those who served in the Great War 1914-1919 and as a lasting tribute to the memory of those who gave their lives. We lie dead in many lands that you may live here in peace." The names of the fallen are inscribed on the other faces. Names of the fallen from the Second World War are inscribed on a block of the pedestal. A plaque was newly added in memory of those who died fighting in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and South Vietnam. The monument is located at the north-west corner and set on the diagonal with a backdrop of dark green Cupressus sempervirens alternating with light green Pittosporums. In the south-west corner of the park there are memorial gates.
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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