NATIONAL SERVICE MEMORIAL CONFIRMED

The Australian War Memorial has confirmed the prime site in its grounds in Canberra for the National Service Memorial.

The AWM has released an architect’s perspective (above) showing our
Memorial set in its own garden on the right hand side of the main
entrance. The Weary Dunlop statue is nearby.

The design is for a fountain, but it will be one that can use recycled
water harvested from the roofs of the AWM or could stand alone if the
Drought continues.

DESIGN

The AWM’s Head of Buildings and Services, Mr.Stewart Mitchell (left, with National President Earle Jennings) told the National Council at its Canberra meeting on 22 March he hoped to have a concept from Mr.Johnson – who is the AWM’s principal architectural consultant – by July. He said the AWM had planned a fountain and was pleased when the NSAA had proposed a similar project The National Service Memorial is part of the Eastern Precinct redevelopment which would improve facilities for visitors and complement the formal garden on the western side of the building.
The project is planned for 2008, subject to funding. The final brief to the architect, Mr.Richard Johnson, approved at
a joint meeting between the AWM and the National Service Memorial Advisory Committee, is for a simple dignified stone fountain. matching the lines and the material of the Australian War Memorial itself. Because the National Service Memorial will be a war memorial, it will bear the tri-service badge from the Australian National Service Medal on the front with a simple inscription with wording such as ‘In Memory of the National Servicemen Who Died on Active Service.’ The other the would bear the Navy, Army and Air Force Badges. A nearby bronze plaque would tell the story of National Service and that the Memorial also commemorates the 287,000 young men called up for the Navy, Army and Air Force between 1951 and 1972. The Memorial and its garden would be lit at night.
FUNDS

The National Service Memorial Committee, headed by the Victorian President, Mr.Doug Black, already has raised $100,000 of the estimated cost of $350,000 to $400,000. The Federal Minister for Veterans Affairs, Mr.Bruce Billson MP, also has pledged $100,000 and if the NSAA matched that amount, another $50,000.

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The National Council decided to raise the rest of the funds for the Memorial through a national art union which will be conducted on its behalf by the Queensland Branch. .

Members will be invited to buy tickets for multiple choice prizes also, if they wish, to make a donation to the Memorial Fund.

The National President, Mr.Earle Jennings, said it was planned to dedicate the Memorial in 2010 or 2011. A proposal was put to the Council that the opening include a celebratory dinner in Canberra, open to all National Servicemen and their partners.                    

Please forward this form along with your donation to the NSAA National
Memorial Fund to,
Douglas Black NSAA National Memorial Fund Chairman
2 Grassmere Court Hallam. Victoria 3803. Tel/Fax # 03 9774 0197

PLEASE make all cheques & money orders payable to:
NSAA National Memorial Fund. & forward to above address.

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NATIONAL SERVICE MEMORIAL

The National Councils of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia and the Australian War Memorial have approved the design for the National Service Memorial in the War Memorial’s grounds in Canberra.

The AWM has allocated a prime site at the right hand side of its main front entrance.

The NSAA raised the funds for the fountain with contributions of $150,000 each from the Australian Government and prominent Australian businessman, Kerry Stokes. State Governments, Local Authorities, RSL Branches and NSAA Branches also donated.

SYMBOLS OF SERVICE

The National Service Memorial will honour the 212 National Servicemen who died on active service in Borneo and Vietnam. The story of National Service from 1951 to 1972 will be told on plaques near the seats around the Memorial.

granite the Air Force. The Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal will be reproduced on the corner closest to the Australian War Memorial and the service badges of the Navy, Army and Air Force on the other sides. The fountain will use recycled water, but is designed to stand alone should the drought make this necessary.

DESIGNED BY LEADING AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECT

The Memorial was designed by one of Australia’s most distinguished architects, Richard Johnson, with Richard Rowell. Both are from the firm of Johnson Pilton Walker. Richard Johnson also is working with international architect, Jorn Utzon, to redesign the Opera Theatre in the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House to realise Utzon’s original concept.

The National Service Memorial will be set in its own paved square, bordered by seating and ornamental box hedges. The top of the bronze bowl will be at the chest height of a sitting person.

The fountain and its setting are designed to encourage contemplation. The view over the Memorial will be to Anzac Avenue, Lake Burley Griffin, the old and new Parliament Houses and the Brindabella Ranges in the distance to the south-west. It will be one of the first Service Memorials most visitors will see when walking to the main entrance of the Australian War Memorial.

NSAA NATIONAL COUNCIL