Parkes War Memorial – Shrine of Remembrance
The Parkes War Memorial – Shrine of Remembrance is located on Memorial Hill, which affords panoramic views of Parkes and the surrounding district. The column, with its beacon light, stands 33 metres high and has been a local feature since 1939. The Memorial is the site of the Dawn Service on Anzac Day each year.
The Memorial has a long and chequered history, taking 27 years from concept to completion.
The 1920s
In 1922, public meetings resulted in a resolution to erect a memorial to the volunteers and fallen service men and women of WWI (1914-1918). It was a time when many Australian communities sought to commemorate those who had served in the Great War.
Although land was set aside in 1923, the adverse conditions of the post war economy meant that no further action was taken until April 1927. A public meeting reaffirmed the decisions taken in 1922 and an Executive Committee was appointed to oversee the project.
In December 1927, Mr Henry Kelly, Goobang Shire Council's Engineer, was engaged to prepare three preliminary designs and a final design was approved in April 1928.
The 1930s
The Great Depression halted further progress on the project until 1934 when Mr Kelly was asked to modify his design so that the memorial could be erected and completed for less than 2,250 pounds. In June 1936, the new design was approved and tenders invited.
The initial contractor on the project was unable to finish the work and in February 1939, a tender of 345 pounds was accepted for the completion of construction.
Although the memorial was incomplete, the lights were switched on by the President of the Parkes Branch of the RSS & AILA, Mr Clive Packham at 8 pm on Armistice Day, 11 November 1939.
At this stage, the total cost of the memorial (excluding donated items) was 2,057 pounds. The committee relied upon cash subscriptions to finance the cost of the memorial. Due to the solemn nature of the Memorial they, would not approve raising of money by dances, carnivals or the like to assist in defraying the cost.
The 1940s
During WWII, the beacon was used by trainees at Parkes RAAF station as an orientation point in the landscape.
The memorial was finally completed in 1949. Employees of the Parkes Municipal Council and the Central West County Council carried out the work. Henry Kelly was architect, engineer and supervisor from commencement to completion of the memorial. The final cost was 4,065 pounds.
The 1950s
On 22 November 1953, the memorial was unveiled by Lt. General Henry Gordon Bennett and was solemnly dedicated by Chaplain Wm. Noel Hook to the sacred memory of the men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in the WWI and WWII.
Memorial Hill is located on Bushman Street.
The Remembrance Walk is flanked by six semi-circular gardens that represent the six main theatres of war where Australians have served. Plants significant to each battlefront are represented in each of the garden beds.
