Aug2011_CENOTAPH RELOCATION
After many years, and a saga almost as long as Blue Hills, the last hurdle in the relocation of the Cenotaph from the school has finally been overcome. That was the funding.
The War Memorial Association was successful when applying for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant and received $21,050+GST. Assistance along the way from both Carolyn Male and Bob Millar navigating through the bureaucratic Government maze was most appreciated.
The funding is to dismantle, refurbish and relocate the cenotaph to the Roderick Cruice Park. It will be set up against the swimming pool fence to the right of the Craig Doyle stage and the existing flag pole. It will be surrounded by stepping pavers to allow access around and up to the Cenotaph base. Surrounding the paved path will be landscaped gardens and the Cenotaph will be lit with soft lighting facing upwards. It is anticipated that the work will commence in early spring depending on being able to access the school and the availability of the tradesmen required to complete the project.
The completion target will be by Remembrance Day this year but a more realistic target would probably be Anzac Day 2012.
The work on the monument will be in the experienced hands of Monumental Stonemason Peter Wrafter of T.W Wrafter & Sons. Not only did Peter design and construct the Memorial in the Showgrounds but has refurbished and relocated other monuments in the Shire.
The footing and base will be constructed to specifications designed by local Civil Engineer Bruce Taylor of Edminson & Taylor. A plaque will be placed on the old site of the Cenotaph with details explaining when and why the relocation was necessary and the new location of the Cenotaph.
A BRIEF HISTORY: The monument was a gift to the community from the Progress Association in 1921, to honour the boys who fought and or gave their life in the Great War. It was placed in the local school grounds as, in that era, there were no parks as such.
The Education Department needed to build a Pre School in town and the only location to do this was the area near the Cenotaph. As the towns’ population grew it was necessary to enlarge this area and now there is only a small parcel of land left around it.
As the numbers in attendance at the Anzac Day services increased over the years there was just not enough room surrounding the Cenotaph to continue successfully holding our services? It became necessary to hold the main service at our Monument located at the War Memorial Showgrounds. In 2003 Dayboro held its first Dawn Service and once again the Cenotaph took pride of place, however, by 2008 the numbers attending this service had increased to the point that yet again the decision had to be made to hold all services at the Showgrounds.
It saddened our Association that the monument could no longer be utilised for any of the services. Many discussions took place in regard to the most suitable place to relocate the Cenotaph to and we believe it came down to two options. The War Memorial Showgrounds or Roderick Cruice Park. Where the showgrounds appears to be the logical choice, we choose the park because we felt once again the Cenotaph would hold a pride of place in town. It would be centrally located where everyone could see and access it and it would not be in an isolated area. The local Historical Society is situated very close to the proposed site and they have researched and have on file information surrounding most of the names on the Cenotaph, which some people will find of great interest.
Our Association has an enormous respect for the significance of the Cenotaph and the decision to relocate it was not made lightly. Great care, thought and attention has been given to each process and we look forward to the future of once again being able to hold services at our local Cenotaph.
The funding is to dismantle, refurbish and relocate the cenotaph to the Roderick Cruice Park. It will be set up against the swimming pool fence to the right of the Craig Doyle stage and the existing flag pole. It will be surrounded by stepping pavers to allow access around and up to the Cenotaph base. Surrounding the paved path will be landscaped gardens and the Cenotaph will be lit with soft lighting facing upwards. It is anticipated that the work will commence in early spring depending on being able to access the school and the availability of the tradesmen required to complete the project.
The completion target will be by Remembrance Day this year but a more realistic target would probably be Anzac Day 2012.
The work on the monument will be in the experienced hands of Monumental Stonemason Peter Wrafter of T.W Wrafter & Sons. Not only did Peter design and construct the Memorial in the Showgrounds but has refurbished and relocated other monuments in the Shire.
The footing and base will be constructed to specifications designed by local Civil Engineer Bruce Taylor of Edminson & Taylor. A plaque will be placed on the old site of the Cenotaph with details explaining when and why the relocation was necessary and the new location of the Cenotaph.
A BRIEF HISTORY: The monument was a gift to the community from the Progress Association in 1921, to honour the boys who fought and or gave their life in the Great War. It was placed in the local school grounds as, in that era, there were no parks as such.
The Education Department needed to build a Pre School in town and the only location to do this was the area near the Cenotaph. As the towns’ population grew it was necessary to enlarge this area and now there is only a small parcel of land left around it.
As the numbers in attendance at the Anzac Day services increased over the years there was just not enough room surrounding the Cenotaph to continue successfully holding our services? It became necessary to hold the main service at our Monument located at the War Memorial Showgrounds. In 2003 Dayboro held its first Dawn Service and once again the Cenotaph took pride of place, however, by 2008 the numbers attending this service had increased to the point that yet again the decision had to be made to hold all services at the Showgrounds.
It saddened our Association that the monument could no longer be utilised for any of the services. Many discussions took place in regard to the most suitable place to relocate the Cenotaph to and we believe it came down to two options. The War Memorial Showgrounds or Roderick Cruice Park. Where the showgrounds appears to be the logical choice, we choose the park because we felt once again the Cenotaph would hold a pride of place in town. It would be centrally located where everyone could see and access it and it would not be in an isolated area. The local Historical Society is situated very close to the proposed site and they have researched and have on file information surrounding most of the names on the Cenotaph, which some people will find of great interest.
Our Association has an enormous respect for the significance of the Cenotaph and the decision to relocate it was not made lightly. Great care, thought and attention has been given to each process and we look forward to the future of once again being able to hold services at our local Cenotaph.
