Australian Army Memorial, Canberra

The Australian Army Memorial on Anzac Parade commemorates the service of Australian soldiers.[1]

The pillars of the memorial

Australian soldiers have fought as a national group in conflicts since the Second Boer War in South Africa. This memorial commemorates their continuing tradition of service, in war, conflict and peace operations.[2]

The memorial was unveiled by the Governor-General of Australia, The Hon. Bill Hayden AC on 1 November 1989. Presented on behalf of the people of Australia: Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke AC.

Design
Army 'Rising Sun' badge

The two central figures represent two Australian soldiers facing the east and the rising sun, and represent the importance of support and comradeship represented in the Australian term, 'mates'. They wear the distinctive Australian slouch hat that carries the 'Rising Sun' badge. The figures stand on a raised podium paved in a radial pattern which refers to the Army insignia. Seven pillars represent the seven major conflicts in which the Australian Army was involved during the 20th century. They are surrounded by water, symbolic of the long sea journeys involved in Australian campaigns.[1]

This memorial is also intended to remind the visitor of the importance of the Australian Digger in the development of national character and sentiment. The term 'Digger' was first used to describe the Australian soldiers during the trench warfare of World War I.[3]

The main design was by sculptors Joan Walsh-Smith and Charles Smith in collaboration with architects Ken Maher and Partners. The bronze casting was assisted by the Army's Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME).[4]

References
  1. "Australian Army National Memorial | Monument Australia". monumentaustralia.org.au. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  2. "Australian Army Memorial - Canberra". Traces Of War. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  3. "Importance of the Australian Digger". Places of Pride. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  4. "National Memorial to the Australian Army- Project Background". www.smithsculptors.com. Retrieved 11 March 2020.

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