Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial

Wendouree Parade and Carleton Street BALLARAT CENTRAL, BALLARAT CITY

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Vic. War Heritage Inventory

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Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • Physical Description 1

    Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial - Physical Description 1

    A JOURNEY OF HONOUR, REMEMBRANCE AND HEALING
    The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial is a dramatic and highly symbolic tribute to the
    sacrifice made by more than 35,000 young Australian service men and women in four theatres of
    war.
    
    At the heart of the monument is a stark, 130 metre long, highly polished black granite wall,
    engraved with the names of all Australian prisoners of war. The names on this 'honour roll' are
    listed in historical order from the Boer War in 1899, through to the Korean War in 1953. It is a
    testament to the contribution made by so many.
    
    Standing sentinel at the centre of the Memorial are six huge basalt obelisks, etched with the
    names of all the countries where Australians were held prisoner of war. The obelisks stand in a
    large reflective pool, set back from the central pathway, symbolising the distance that separated
    Australia's prisoners of war from their homes and their loved ones.
    
    Opposite the pool is a larger obelisk flanked by flagpoles and a ceremonial stone on which to lay
    wreaths.
    
    The central pathway is itself symbolic, with each of the paving stones cut in the shape of a railway
    sleeper. The pathway defines 'the journey' taken by the prisoners of war and the journey visitors
    take around the monument.
    
    At the end of the granite wall where the pathway ends, visitors face a large stone engraved simply
    'Lest We Forget'. Water flows from beneath the stone, along the base of the granite wall and into
    the reflection pool in which the obelisks stand. This cycle of flowing water, symbolising spirituality,
    healing, cleansing, birth and rebirth, guides visitors on their journey through the Memorial.
    
    The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial concept and design is by Peter Blizzard (sculptor).

    Historical Australian Themes

    Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial - Historical Australian Themes

    Remembering the fallen

    Usage/Former Usage

    Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial - Usage/Former Usage

    Memorial

    Veterans Description for Public

    Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial - Veterans Description for Public

    The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, located in the Ballarat Botanic Gardens,is a dramatic and highly symbolic tribute to more than 35,000 young Australian service men and women in four theatres of war who were made prisoners of war. About 8600 died or were killed while incarcerated.
    
    The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial was conceived and designed by sculptor, Peter Blizzard. At the heart of the monument is a stark, 130 metre long, highly polished black granite wall, engraved with the names of all Australian prisoners of war. The names on this 'honour roll' are listed in historical order from the Boer War in 1899, through to the Korean War in 1953 (there were no Australian prisoners of war in the Vietnam War). It is a testament to the sacrifice made by so many Australians.
    
    Standing sentinel at the centre of the Memorial are six huge basalt obelisks, etched with the names of all the countries where Australians were held prisoner of war. The obelisks stand in a large reflective pool, set back from the central pathway, symbolising the distance that separated Australia's prisoners of war from their homes and their loved ones. Opposite the pool is a larger obelisk flanked by flagpoles and a ceremonial stone on which to lay wreaths.
    
    The central pathway is itself symbolic, with each of the paving stones cut in the shape of a railway sleeper. The pathway defines 'the journey' taken by the prisoners of war and the journey visitors take around the monument.
    
    At the end of the granite wall where the pathway ends, visitors face a large stone engraved simply 'Lest We Forget'. Water flows from beneath the stone, along the base of the granite wall and into the reflection pool in which the obelisks stand. This cycle of flowing water, symbolising spirituality, healing, cleansing, birth and rebirth, guides visitors on their journey through the Memorial.
    
    

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