Childers' War Heroes Remembered as part of Queensland's 150th Anniversary Year
Posted by editor (editor) on Nov 19 2009
2009 >>

The new Q150 Legacy Infrastructure supported Memorial Precinct was officially opened today by Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading Peter Lawlor, following the RSL Remembrance Day proceedings.

The Queensland Government granted the Childers ANZAC Interactive Forum at Bundaberg Regional Council $225,000 in Q150 Legacy Infrastructure funding towards the development of the new Memorial Precinct with its World War II Howitzer.

Mr Lawlor said this was such an important infrastructure project because Childers has had a long history of wartime support.

“In 1921 the Australian Government gifted the town a Krupps Cannon Morser 210 Howitzer as a relic of war because more people per head of population from this area than anywhere else in Australia had gone to war,” he said.

“The Isis Shire Chamber in 1926 was built in the shape of a Maltese Cross which is an indication of the communities wartime commitment.

“There are strong memories, links and associations with World Wars I and II and even before that at the Boer War, which is why this community chose a war memorial precinct as its legacy infrastructure project for future generations.

“This memorial is for all those soldiers from this area who have paid the ultimate price and given their lives for their country from the Boer War through to the Vietnam War.

“In this year when we celebrate our people, our places and our stories, this is a moving tribute to the hundreds of people who went to war for their country, those who died and those who made it back from the Isis.

“I congratulate the Council on their investment in this project as it reminds us of how lucky we are in this country.”.

The project includes a 3m high metal cut-out soldier standing in amongst red poppies positioned on granite walls as well as several panels or pictographs of local soldiers, including extracts from some of the letters they wrote home. The Howitzer was also refurbished and a cover built over it to protect it from the elements.

Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Cr Lorraine Pyefinch said it was wonderful to see the project completed.

“The Mayor, Councillors and staff of the former Isis Shire Council should be very proud of the groundwork they did on this Memorial Precinct,” she said.

“The community organisations, especially Rotary, are also to be congratulated.

The consultants, contractors and our Bundaberg Regional Council staff have done an excellent job making it a reality.

We thank the State Government for contributing $225,000 to the half million dollar project.

“It is certainly a fitting tribute to the service men and women of the Isis and will be for many years to come”.

2009 is Queensland’s 150th anniversary year of independence from New South Wales.

The Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program is a $100 million capital works funding program initiated by the Queensland Government to assist local council’s throughout the State create long lasting legacies of the 150th celebrations.

There are more than 90 of these projects around the State as part of Queensland’s 150th Celebrations.

Find out what’s on in Queensland at www.q150.qld.gov.au.

Last changed: Nov 19 2009 at 9:24 AM