Austinmer War Memorial

Austinmer War Memorial

Their name liveth for evermore

Erected by people of Austinmer in grateful memory of those who served in the Great War 1914-1918 also

In memory of those who served in 1939-1945 War Korean & Vietnam Wars

Unveiled by Mrs. S. Cheadle 26th January 1922

HISTORY OF AUSTINMER ww1 MEMORIAL

LEST WE FORGET

 At the end of the first world war 1918 the Austinmer residents began to raise funds to construct a memorial for all of those who served and those who paid the supreme sacrifice to defend our country. 

Raffles were run and some donations were made and a total of 245 pounds were raised, thanks to the efforts of Mrs. Coffey, Mrs. Lett, Mrs. Cheadle were but a few of the residents all related to our service men killed in actions.

The names on the memorial are those from the surrounding towns south to Bulli and north to Coledale.

In January 1922 the memorial was completed and dedicated, the original site was in the centre of Austinmer beach as shown on the attached photograph taken on the day shows some of the residents present at the unveiling.  They are from left to right:  Mr. Don Lett, Mr. John Coffey, Mrs. Coffey, Mrs. Lett.  Photo supplied by Mr. Noel Pickering formerly of 41 the Grove, Austinmer who has a child attending the dedication.  The memorial has since been relocated to its present position not quite sure but in the late 1930’s.

Around 1988 against the wishes of the subbranch founding members John Mills, Jock Mcquire and Danny Timmins the memorial had the WW2 1939-1945, Korea & Vietnam Wars inscribed onto it.

In 1999 the first ANZAC Day plaque and plinth and timber fence was added to the memorial surrounds by the Austinmer Subbranch & Wollongong City Council.  Noel Pickering was the author of the words to describe the action of that first ANZAC day so it would not be forgotten.  Barry Navin - President, Noel Pickering – Custodian of the Memorial and George (Bob) Cheadle – grandson of G. Cheadle who was killed in action unveiled the Plaque.

After 20 plus years as the Custodian of the memorial, Noel Pickering retired from the position and in 2001 Joe McGarity was appointed.

In 2002 the World War 2 bronze plaque was placed on the easter side of the WW1 memorial Keith Woodward (Woody from the Thirroul Subbranch) laid the plinth Mike Lewins co-ordinated the work and Joe McGarity installed the security spot lighting in 2003.  Then in 2007 paving blocks and timber pollards with chains replaced the timber fence, this work was carried out by council and the subbranch supervision and design carried out by Joe McGarity.

With the centenary of ANZAC in 2015 upon us both Federal and State Governments provide grants for the restoration of WW1 memorials and the sub branch obtained $14,000.00 for this purpose and a contract was awarded to Heritage Memorials Stonemasons only after lengthy discussions with Wollongong Council and the NSW Heritage Council who had then accepted our new design using Granite (Moss Green) plinth and pollards to replace the aging sandstone and wooden pollards, this enabled a life extension of another 100 years of the memorial.

Work was commenced in mid-February and completed well ahead of schedule and in time for 2014 ANZAC Dawn Service.  Documents relating the names on the memorial placed during the construction in 1922 were not located during the rectification work.

Remembrance Day 2014 will see the memorial rededicated Noel Pickering is looking forward to being in attendance along with some students and teachers from the Bellambi Holy Spirit College who researched the details on the ANZACs.

Written by Joseph McGarity (2017)