Photo: Construction work on the Anzac memorial in Central Park.
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Take a look at the work going on in Wingham`s Central Park, opposite the Wingham Museum. You will see Greater Taree City Council staff constructing a new memorial to commemorate the centenary of Anzac.
With funding provided by the Australian government`s Centenary of Anzac Local Grants program, the Wingham RSL Sub Branch is working with council to build a special memorial to be dedicated and unveiled on the morning of Australia Day 2016.
Everyone is invited to come along to the dedication ceremony which will be conducted at the conclusion of the annual Australia Day ceremony in the south west corner of the park, near Wingham`s iconic "log."
That south west corner is symbolic not only because it is where many local young Australians volunteered to go to war in WW1, but also because the first contingent of Australian WW1 troops departed by sea from Albany, on the south west coast of Western Australia.
"This memorial is a special tribute to all our defence and peace keeping service men and women who put themselves in harms way to preserve peace and freedom in many parts of the world," said Wingham Sub Branch president, Ron Irwin.
"Australia has a proud history as a vigilant defender of democracy. Many people from Wingham and the Upper Manning have contributed to that proud history over the past 100 years," he said.
Based on an original design by local artist Jane Hosking, the memorial features the thirteen point Anzac star depicting the rising sun badge. The design encompasses the symbolic existing Lone Pine tree and includes a plinth and memorial plaque.
"With the assistance of grant funds, local people have made this vision become a reality. Locally conceived, designed, managed, constructed and dedicated, Anzac Place will be a lasting community tribute to all those who served, and continue to serve," said project manager, Mave Richardson. The Anzac legacy lives on.