One hundred years ago, Randwick Council made plans to build an elaborate ANZAC memorial, but it was never completed – until now.
Randwick Council announced last month that an ANZAC memorial will be built at La Perouse to officially mark the southern end of the area’s ANZAC Parade, which is celebrating its one hundredth anniversary this year.
In March 1917, the inner-Sydney council officially unveiled the ANZAC Parade and a stone obelisk in Moore Park to commemorate the troops lost in the ongoing war.
This was one of the earliest monuments dedicated to the ANZACs.
At the official opening in 1917, the Sydney Lord Mayor Alderman Meagher proclaimed “eventually there would be a continuous thoroughfare over six miles long from Moore Park right to the La Perouse monument”.
However, as current Randwick Councillor Tony Bowen explained, this idea was never realised.
“It came as somewhat a surprise to me and the Council that this vision for a commemorative parade marked with two monuments dedicated to the memory of our ANZACs – including the many Indigenous soldiers – had never been completed.
“It wasn’t until Randwick resident and the daughter of an ANZAC, Margaret Hope, contacted me and made a very eloquent presentation to the Council that we became aware of the lost vision.
“Margaret is an extraordinary woman who has undertaken some extensive research into the history of ANZAC Parade and the missing memorial.”
Ms Hope’s father, Robert “Bob” William Hope, was one of thousands of Australians who enlisted for service in WWI, serving in France and Belgium.
Ms Hope explained the Randwick memorial is a significant historical marker, particularly as it predated other major war memorials; however, it has been forgotten over time.
“It marked the place where many of the battalions of volunteers who left Australia to fight had marched in 1914 past the cheering crowds, on their way from the Randwick barracks to the ships.
“Unfortunately, over the years the significance of ANZAC Parade as a war memorial has become increasingly forgotten.”
Plans to build a more elaborate monument were shelved by Council as it was decided it was too costly to pursue during wartime.
But in March this year Council unanimously resolved to work with the local community to construct a new monument.
Randwick City Council is forming a trust to develop concepts for the memorial and invitations are being sent to local stakeholders including local residents, the RSL Sub-Branch, La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council, the University of NSW and Randwick Barracks.
Ms Hope said she was overjoyed at the news.
“I am very pleased that Randwick City Council under the Mayoralty of Noel D’Souza has now decided to complete this long overdue vision for Anzac Parade.
“I see this memorial as not only important for remembrance but also for education and for the inclusion of all who served, particularly the many Indigenous soldiers.”
