Pause a moment and consider the weight of history held within the Anzac Memorial Obelisk. Right here stands a testament to courage sacrifice and remembrance. This is not merely a stone structure. It is a vessel carrying the echoes of a nation’s profound loss and unwavering spirit.
The Anzac Memorial Obelisk stands as Queensland’s preeminent war memorial. It is located in the heart of Brisbane. It was born from a grieving society. This society had given and lost so much during the First World War. The memorial now commemorates all Australian conflicts and service.
Imagine Brisbane in 1916. The idea for a memorial park and monument emerged. It aimed to commemorate those who had fought and died in the Great War. By 1920 the Queensland National Anzac Memorial Executive Committee was formed. It would oversee the design and creation of Queensland’s state memorial.
Initially the committee proposed using the entire city block bound by Ann Edward Adelaide and Creek streets. Negotiations led to a smaller site. By 1926 the location of Anzac Square was tentatively agreed upon. It was 1.2 acres between Ann and Adelaide Street.
This site holds significance. It occupies the traditional lands of the Turrbal and Yugara Nations. From 1860 it had been the location for Brisbane’s first state-run non-denominational national school. It later became the main recruiting depot for soldiers during World War I.
In June 1927 William Jolly launched a public appeal for subscriptions to fund the memorial. He was the Mayor of Brisbane and chairman of the QNAMEC. More than 50 entries were submitted. The 100 pounds first prize was awarded to Sydney architects. They were Stafford Harman Buchanan and Frederick Mountford Cowper.
Construction occurred between 1929 and 1930. F.J. Corbett and Sons did the work. Alfred H Foster supervised. He was the City Architect. The original aim was completion by Anzac Day 1930. Construction proceeded slower than anticipated.
Anzac Square cost a total of 19000 pounds. This was more expensive than planned. The Sunday Mail declared Anzac Square a Reminder in Stone and Marble. They said it was equal to any in the southern hemisphere.
Sir Goodwin lit the Eternal Flame. It was the first of its type in Australia. Thousands attended the service. Civilians service personnel and officials filled the parklands. The dedication of Anzac Square reflected 14 years of lobbying. It also reflected hard work by the Anzac Memorial Committee. Individual donations from ordinary people funded the Memorial. These people faced difficult times between World War I and the Great Depression.
The Square was declared a reserve for park purposes in 1933. In October 1992 the building was listed in the Queensland Heritage Register. There were proposals to alter the Square in the 1960s and 70s. These plans met community outrage. A revised plan involved limited encroachment on Anzac Square.
Anzac Square has become a repository for statues and memorials. These are for other conflicts. These include the Women’s Memorial in 1932 and the Boer War Memorial Statue in 1939. Statues were laid in the 1980s and 90s. They commemorate the Southwest Pacific Campaign World War II Korea Malaya and Borneo. The Vietnam War is also commemorated. An Indigenous Memorial Statue was unveiled in May 2022.
TKD Architects and Tract Landscape Architects prepared a masterplan. This enhanced the Square’s role. It is a place for ceremonial gatherings education and reflection. The Anzac Square restoration and enhancement project was undertaken in four stages. The final Stage 4 works were completed in August 2019. The project was a joint initiative. It was between the Queensland Government the Anzac Centenary Public Fund and Brisbane City Council.
Anzac Square has become part of the cultural landscape of Brisbane. It attracts visitors. They seek to pay their respects. They also learn more about Queensland’s diverse and unique military past.
As you stand before the Anzac Memorial Obelisk remember its purpose. It is not just a monument. It is a symbol of enduring remembrance. It is a place where the stories of the past converge with the present. It inspires reflection and gratitude.