Colac War Memorial

Murray Street COLAC, Colac Otway Shire

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Vic. War Heritage Inventory

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Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • Physical Description 1

    Colac War Memorial - Physical Description 1

    The Town Square precinct comprises the Memorial Square, the former market square, the avenue of mature trees and other plantings, layout paths and all the historic structures and Memorials contained within the square bound by Murray, Hesse, Gellibrand and Dennis Streets, it also includes all those properties which overlook the square. These consists of the group of remodelled 1950s shop fronts along Murray Street, the former SEC Commission office building, the Sewell Building, and a small group of Inter War shops on Gellibrand street, the Italianate 19th century building and its associated development on Hesse streets and the remaining group of 19th century Victorian villas along Dennis Street, all these buildings contribute to the character and narrative history of the development of the Square, providing physical evidence of the precarious evolution of the former market square from an area used by farmers to hitch their wagons while attending the sales yards and auctions opposite, to community use of the space and the beautification work associated with the War Memorial Movement and unveiling of the First World War Memorial in 1924. The Memorial dominates the square, entitled " The Shire's Tribute" and is one of the most impressive and aesthetically outstanding structure in Victoria, carved out of Ballan stone standing 50 feet high designed by Frederick Sales to commemorate the 1,546 local servicemen who enlisted and 318 who died during war. It is designed like a neo-Palladian sacrificial temple of remembrance, associated with the Inter War Stripped Classical architectural style. A series of steps leads up to a raised chamber on a platform with domed panelled roof, accessed through 20ft stylized Doric/Corinthian columns in antis, with surmounting Greek entablature and pediment topped by a giant Grecian urn and torch with sculptured heads of Mars, god of war, facing the four points of the compass. The shrine is placed within a wider landscaped setting designed in 1955 by architects, Mason & Weinstock, using contemporary sandstone paving, upright free standing columns, terraced walls and pool of remembrance since turned into a rose garden, other features include walkways, and extensive modern playground, 1900 Federation style Chinese influenced timber band rotunda, standing in the middle of a large paved area surrounded by timber park benches and low clipped green hedge and tall globe landscape lighting, pergola, miscellaneous collection of park bench seating, toilet block and barbeque. The square has also become a reciprocal for a number of memorial plaques mainly granite cairns with attached bronze plaques gathered in a random fashion in one location at the Hesse Murray street corner.

    Total number of trees: 54 Ages (est.): 100 (c1900) and 76 (pl. 1924) Height: 20m (average) Canopy: 20m (average) Trunk Circumference: not measured (3.1m in 1986)
    Memorial Square is a World War 1 Memorial reserve developed from earlier parkland and bounded by Murray, Hesse, Dennis and Gellibrand Streets in central Colac. A park precinct, it is level in topography and its major elements comprising a c1924 [confirm] war memorial at its centre, and a geometric path system with extensive plantings of mature Ulmus procera (English Elm)framing this centrepoint. 54 trees assessed by NT in 1986 are a group planting which provides the context for the central memorial. Many perimeter trees precede the erection of the monument and appear to have been planted near or before the turn of the century (c1900), while trees closer to the memorial, especially those around the central circular path, date from the erection of the memorial (c1924), as confirmed by photographs of the time. Further investigation should confirm any changes to the path layout and alterations to other fabric, as well as the exact extent of plantings predating the war memorial.
    

    Historical Australian Themes

    Colac War Memorial - Historical Australian Themes

    Memorials & Monuments (9.2)

    Veterans Description for Public

    Colac War Memorial - Veterans Description for Public

    Located on Murray Street, the Colac War Memorial dominates the Colac Memorial Square. Entitled " The Shire's Tribute", it is one of the most impressive and aesthetically outstanding structures in Victoria, carved out of Ballan stone and standing at 50 feet high. The memorial was designed by Frederick Sales to commemorate the 1,546 local servicemen who enlisted and 318 who died during the war. It is designed like a neo-Palladian sacrificial temple of remembrance, associated with the Inter War Stripped Classical architectural style. A series of steps leads up to a raised chamber on a platform with domed panelled roof, accessed through 20ft stylized Doric/Corinthian columns in antis, with surmounting Greek entablature and pediment topped by a giant Grecian urn and torch with sculptured heads of Mars, god of war, facing the four points of the compass.

    The official unveiling took place on November 15th 1924 and was performed by Sir Henry Chauvel. The memorial is the most magnificent anywhere in country Victoria and is only bettered by the larger walk-in structures at Geelong and Melbourne. The memorial to those who served in the Second World War and Korean War was constructed as a separate entity on the Murray Street side of the First World War memorial. In 1955, Architects Mason & Weinstock developed a contemporary design involving a low wall and two tall columns facing a pool of remembrance. The memorial was opened on August 3rd 1957 by Lt. Governor Sir Edmund Herring. Since then there have been other plaques placed on the memorial complex recognising the conflicts in Malaya, Borneo, the Malayan Peninsula and Vietnam 1948 - 1972; Women who Served and the Garden of Peace (the latter two unveiled on August 15th 1995, being the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War).

    The shrine is placed within a wider landscaped setting designed in 1955 by architects, Mason & Weinstock, using contemporary sandstone paving, upright free standing columns, terraced walls and pool of remembrance since turned into a rose garden, other features include walkways, and extensive modern playground, 1900 Federation style Chinese influenced timber band rotunda, standing in the middle of a large paved area surrounded by timber park benches and low clipped green hedge and tall globe landscape lighting, pergola, miscellaneous collection of park bench seating, toilet block and barbeque.

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Colac Otway - Colac Otway Heritage Study

    Author: Mary Sheehan & Associates
    Year: 2003
    Grading: Local

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