Victory Memorial Gardens
Encyclopedia
Victory Memorial Gardens are located on the banks of the Wollundry Lagoon in the central business district
of Wagga Wagga New South Wales, Australia. The 2.02 hectares (5 acre) of land were formerly the site of the Old Police Barracks and Police Paddock, where all of the police horses were kept. It became land for public recreation in February 1931. In 1925
the Wagga Wagga Municipality Council planned a tribute to those who fought and died in the First World War
. The Council and Returned Sailors, Soldiers Imperial League of Australia
(RSSILA) originally planned a memorial hall to be added on to the council chambers but public preference was for gardens. There was a public competition for the design which was won by Thomas Kerr who was the chief landscape gardener of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney
. Work on the gardens started in 1928.
In the midst of the war, there had been a proposal for a Memorial Arch to honour volunteer soldiers from 1916
. The proposal gained momentum when the servicemen returned after the War. A plan was finally planned to construct a monumental archway entrance to a memorial gardens in 1925. The Victory Memorial Gardens Arch was finally completed at a cost of £
1700 and was officially unveiled amid great fanfare on Anzac Day
1927
by Major-General C. F. Cox
.
A cenotaph had been built earlier in 1922.
In 2006 the Chisholm Fountain, previously located in the Civic Centre precinct, was restored and installed in the gardens in time for Anzac Day commemorations.
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Wagga Wagga New South Wales, Australia. The 2.02 hectares (5 acre) of land were formerly the site of the Old Police Barracks and Police Paddock, where all of the police horses were kept. It became land for public recreation in February 1931. In 1925
1925 in Australia
See also:1924 in Australia,other events of 1925,1926 in Australia and theTimeline of Australian history.-Incumbents:*Monarch – King George V*Governor-General – Henry Forster, 1st Baron Forster then John Baird, 1st Viscount Stonehaven...
the Wagga Wagga Municipality Council planned a tribute to those who fought and died in the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The Council and Returned Sailors, Soldiers Imperial League of Australia
Returned and Services League of Australia
The Returned and Services League of Australia is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force ....
(RSSILA) originally planned a memorial hall to be added on to the council chambers but public preference was for gardens. There was a public competition for the design which was won by Thomas Kerr who was the chief landscape gardener of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia, are the most central of the three major botanical gardens open to the public in Sydney....
. Work on the gardens started in 1928.
In the midst of the war, there had been a proposal for a Memorial Arch to honour volunteer soldiers from 1916
1916 in Australia
See also:1915 in Australia,other events of 1916,1917 in Australia and theTimeline of Australian history.-Incumbents:*Monarch – King George V*Governor-General – The Right Hon. Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson*Prime Minister – Billy Hughes-State premiers:...
. The proposal gained momentum when the servicemen returned after the War. A plan was finally planned to construct a monumental archway entrance to a memorial gardens in 1925. The Victory Memorial Gardens Arch was finally completed at a cost of £
Australian pound
The pound was the currency of Australia from 1910 until 13 February 1966, when it was replaced by the Australian dollar. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.- Earlier Australian currencies :...
1700 and was officially unveiled amid great fanfare on Anzac Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
1927
1927 in Australia
See also:1926 in Australia,other events of 1927,1928 in Australia and theTimeline of Australian history.-Incumbents:*Monarch – King George V*Governor-General – John Baird, 1st Viscount Stonehaven*Prime Minister – Stanley Bruce-State premiers:...
by Major-General C. F. Cox
Charles Frederick Cox
Major General Charles Frederick Cox CB, CMG, DSO, VD was an Australian Army colonel and temporary brigadier general in World War I. He retired in 1930 as an honorary major general.-Early life and career:...
.
A cenotaph had been built earlier in 1922.
In 2006 the Chisholm Fountain, previously located in the Civic Centre precinct, was restored and installed in the gardens in time for Anzac Day commemorations.
External links
- Victory Memorial Gardens - City of Wagga Wagga
- History of the Victory Memorial Gardens - City of Wagga Wagga