Dunn Memorial Column

Beneath the imposing Dunn Memorial Column, a quiet reverence settles. The Dunn Memorial Column stands as a stark reminder of sacrifice. It’s not just a concrete structure but a vessel of stories. Anzac Square, home to the Dunn Memorial Column, wasn’t always intended to be a universal symbol of remembrance. It began as a tribute to the men and women lost in the First World War. The grief of a nation, the echoes of Gallipoli, fueled the desire for a place of solace and reflection. In 1916, the idea took root. By 1920, the Queensland National Anzac Memorial Executive Committee was formed, tasked with bringing this vision to life. The initial plan was grand, encompassing an entire city block. However, negotiations and practicalities led to a smaller, yet no less significant, plot of land between Ann and Adelaide Streets. This ground, once home to Brisbane’s first state-run non-denominational school and later a recruiting depot, held its own echoes of service and sacrifice. The Dunn Memorial Column’s construction, between 1929 and 1930, was not without its trials. Delays and even a tragic accident marked its creation. The unveiling, though not on the initially planned Anzac Day of 1930, was a powerful moment. The Eternal Flame, the first of its kind in Australia, was lit, a beacon of enduring memory. The Dunn Memorial Column at Anzac Square evolved over time, becoming a repository for memorials of other conflicts. Statues commemorating the Boer War, World War II, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, and even an Indigenous Memorial Statue, found their place within the square. Each addition enriching the tapestry of remembrance. The Dunn Memorial Column stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of remembrance. It reminds us to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy.