From its days in the centre of Taree to its current home at Fotheringham Park, Taree RSL Sub-branch member Darcy Elbourne looks back at the history of the Taree war memorial and clock tower.
After the Great War, a decision was made in late May 1924 for the clock tower to be erected at the main intersection in the town.
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The original plan was for the monument to stand about 28 feet, with a 12 foot base and four dial clock face, which could be seen at a great distance.
In the February, works began on the memorial clock at the intersection of Victoria and Manning Streets.
The foundation stone for the memorial was laid by the mayor Alderman W.H. Muldoon on about April 20 1925.
On completion, it was unveiled on Saturday, June 6, 1925 by Major General Cox.
In 1966, the council wished to relocate the clock to Fotheringham Park due to upgrade to Victoria Street and by June 1966 it was dismantled by the contractors Vittali Building Co of Taree.
The pieces of stone were numbered to facilitate the re-erection.
The opening of the clock in its new location in Fotheringham Park was on August 3, 1966.
The Taree RSL Sub-branch in conjunction with Greater Taree City Council had through various grants, donations and in-kind support enabled us to we restore the Memorial Clock and its surrounds as ours and the communities’ contribution to the Centenary of Anzac.
These works have included cleaning and restoration of the clock tower and surrounding plinth, works to reduce water damage to the base, placement of a new balustrade and repaint of existing balustrade and all metal work on the clock tower, minor works to repair the clock face and improved safe access to the memorial plinth.
Construction of a memorial walkway linking the clock memorial to the memorial columns was also created as part of the Centenary of Anzac commemoration.
It was dedicated on April 25, 2015.
Taree RSL undertook the project and funded the works for the replacement of the clock mechanism with assistance from NSW Veterans Department.
Restoration of the four clock faces and installation of a new clock mechanism which was fully funded by the members of RSL Taree sub branch at a cost of $22,500
The installation of the Australian soldiers statues project cost $35,600.
It was funded through grants and donations.
The donors were thanked with a plaque on April 18 2018.
‘An honour and a privilege’
At the unveil of the plaque, past president of the Taree RSL sub-branch Darcy Elbourne shared his thoughts of the memorial.
“The centenary of Anzac 2014 -2018 has been of special significance for all Australians and as part of those commemorations the restorations and supporting works to our Memorial Clock were completed with the two Australian digger statues.
“The entire project clearly demonstrates that this community remembers not only those original Anzacs who served, but commemorate more than a century of service by Australian servicemen and women especially those from our area.
“The centenary of Anzac provided our nation and our community with a once in a life time opportunity to ensure that all Australians, particularly young Australians, have an understanding of the sacrifices that have been made by so many to protect the values and ideals that we as a nation all too often take for granted.
“It was during the early stages of the works that I was lucky to be in a position to be able to put forward ideas to do something that would be substantial as a mark 100 years and that we still remember them.
“With the RSL Taree sub-branch support, I was able to provide leadership in the proposals for the Anzac Centenary project.
“The community, the Greater Taree City Council, NSW Department of Veterans Affairs and the Commonwealth Government Department of Veterans Affairs were right behind this project.
Today our memorial remains fit for purpose, the focal point of our remembrance; it communicates integrity that speaks to our community from whose forebears this memorial arose.
- Darcy Elbourne
“Today, the memorial stands magnificently as it did on that day back in 1925 when it was unveiled major general Cox.
“It is stands as a testimony to the service of common men – the ordinary soldier who volunteered, fought and laid down their lives. It remains as our public recognition point of the local loss and service – the memorial precinct tells their stories.
“Our memorial now stands proudly overlooking the beautiful Fotheringham Park and the Manning River.
“The awe of reverence that the memorial has and its surrounds provide a sacred place that provides a sanctified atmosphere that defines the memory of our fallen and all those who served.
“As we are seeing the numbers of our war veterans dwindle and disappear, their descendant are taking their place - the families march in their stead as we witnessed last Anzac Day not only in Taree but across the nation.
“Today our memorial remains fit for purpose, the focal point of our remembrance; it communicates integrity that speaks to our community from whose forebears this memorial arose.
“If we don’t notice the memorial, we are unlikely to be remembering why it was built.”