Was it a mosque design? That’s what they favored for the Port Melbourne War Memorial. This memorial commemorates those who died in service during World War One. It stands as a tribute to their sacrifice.
The Port Melbourne War Memorial began as a drinking fountain. The fountain is no longer functioning. It once offered refreshment. Now, it offers remembrance.
Imagine the discussions that shaped this memorial. In January 1920, the Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Fathers’ Association met. They debated the location. One suggestion was Edwards Park. Another was Bay Street near the Fountain Inn. Charles Peterson suggested the sea front. It was from there that the soldiers departed for war.
Years passed before the Port Melbourne Council took action. In 1923, the Soldiers’ Fathers’ Association asked for funds. They needed between £200 and £300. A council member suggested giving the money to living war veterans instead. He felt rich men were shirking their duties to the living.
Another council member stated veterans already received pensions. He believed it was enough with repatriation assistance. The amendment to spend money on wounded soldiers failed. The original motion to discuss funding the memorial passed.
Eventually, the Port Melbourne Council voted £100 for the war memorial. The Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Fathers’ Association had already raised £108. Some councilors still wanted the money to go to disabled soldiers. One councilor argued monuments lose appeal over time. He asked how many people thought of Burke and Wills when passing their monument.
In 1925, plans emerged for a drinking fountain war memorial on Sinclair Parade. It would cost £250. The Soldiers’ Fathers’ Association had raised much of the money. A mosque design was favored.
The Port Melbourne War Memorial’s exact construction date is unclear. In 1928, a report mentioned the Port Melbourne Soldiers’ Memorial. It stood on Sinclair Parade. The inscription read: “Erected by the Municipality and Citizens of Port Melbourne In memory of those Who fell in the Great War 1914-1918 For King and Country”.
By 1933, attendance at Armistice Celebrations dwindled. But by 1934, Anzac Day commemorations saw better attendance. Returned men marched to the memorial on the beach front. Naval cadets joined them. The Mayor presided over the service. A laurel wreath was placed on the monument.
In 1934, there was a proposal to move the memorial to a more suitable site. The RSL suggested a location in front of the Flower Inn. They thought a lawn around the memorial would be an improvement. Port Melbourne Council rejected the proposal.
The Port Melbourne War Memorial remains on Sinclair Parade. It is on the sea front. It is near the piers where young men departed for war. Some never returned.
Today, the Port Melbourne Anzac Day service continues. It is organized through the Bowling Club. The City of Port Phillip provides support. Each year, attendance grows. Beach Street is closed to accommodate the crowd.
The Port Melbourne War Memorial stands as a reminder of the past. It honors those who served. It is a place for reflection. It is a place for remembrance.