Grant secured to refurbish Gunnedah’s 8th Division Memorial Avenue Remembrance Wall

Gunnedah has secured $10,000 in grant funding to restore a war memorial believed to be the only one of its kind in Australia.

The Eight Division Memorial Avenue Remembrance Wall memorial – which is dedicated to the Gunnedah members of the Australian Army infantry division – will be restored, cleaned and landscaped under the new improvements planned.

The project is being funded under Round 2 of the NSW government’s 2024/25 Community War Memorials Fund.

The upgrade will include “cleaning and repairing of signage, flagpole site, bronze plaques, and the Remembrance Wall plaques”.

The grant will also provide planting of “prostrate, hardy native vegetation” under the memorial trees to serve as a low maintenance ground cover.

The memorial was upgraded in 2022 when the brass plaques with inscriptions were removed from the base of the avenue trees, refurbished and installed on display boards at the location. But the Remembrance Wall brass plaques remained in place and are also showing signs of wear.

Gunnedah shire councillor Juliana McArthur has been advocating for the Remembrance Wall’s restoration.

“I saw the opportunity, with a short timeframe to apply, and took it. Thank you to my fellow councillors for supporting this, one of whom is a descendant of an 8th Division soldier. It’s important to maintain our memorials, to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served. I’ll now leave it with the RSL Sub-Branch to make use of the grant.’

Cr McArthur anticipated council, as the grant applicant, would liaise with the RSL sub-branch, landcare groups and relevant community organisations to make the improvements.

The avenue’s Remembrance Wall which will feature in the improvements.

Gunnedah RSL Sub-Branch president Anthony Adams was proud to support the one-of-a-kind commemorative memorial.

“The memorial is unique in that’s it’s the only one in Australia, there’s none other we know of in the country that supports the 8th Division as a whole,” Mr Adams said.

“This upgrade will be a mark of respect in tribute to the service, some who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Mr Adams said the improvements would be a drawcard for those with family connections to the 8th Division and bring further awareness about military service.

“It’s a nice place to visit in Gunnedah for families whose past is intertwined with the 8th Division in conflict and the tragedy that surrounds it,” he said.

“Australia has made an incredible contribution in conflicts past and present.

“This helps to educate the community and brings a mark of respect back to those who served.”

Gunnedah was one of just 14 war memorials state-wide to receive funding under the latest round of grants.

At $10,000, it was also one of the highest grant amounts awarded in this funding round.

Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, said the grant will ensure the sacrifices of service are not lost on future generations.

“War memorials are at the centre of our remembrance and serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of Australian servicemen and women,” Mr Anderson said.

“The Gunnedah Remembrance Wall honours the memory of over 2000 men and women from the Gunnedah region. It’s fitting that a $10,000 grant will now go towards maintaining the memorial, ensuring it continues to serve as a reminder of that sacrifice for the next generations.”

NSW Minister for Veterans David Harris said: “I am pleased to announce that over $134,000 has been awarded across NSW to ensure the conservation of memorials throughout our communities.

“Our communities are proud of their military history, and local war memorials are a vital part of our culture, enabling us to reflect on over 100 years of service and sacrifice of our veterans’ and their families.”

President of RSL NSW Mick Bainbridge said: “RSL NSW welcomes the State Government’s announcement of the latest Community War Memorials Fund grant recipients. These grants play a vital role in ensuring that local war memorials across our state are properly maintained and preserved.

“War memorials are more than just stone and bronze — they are sacred focal points where communities come together to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans. By protecting these sites, we preserve the legacy of those who served and ensure future generations understand the cost of the freedoms we enjoy today.”

Background on the 8th Division (source: NSW War Memorials Register):

The 20,000 strong 8th Division 2AIF, was raised from volunteers in 1940. The intention was to deploy the Division to the Middle East. Due to the increased hostilities in the Pacific Area, the Division was divided into four separate forces which were deployed to different parts of the Asia-Pacific region, notably Malaya, Rabaul, Ambon and Timor. All of these formations were destroyed as fighting units by the end of February 1942. Most of the surviving members of the Division became Prisoners of War and when liberated in 1945, one third of the P.O.W’s had died in captivity.

An inscription on the memorial reads: “In memory of the fallen of the 8th division and supporting forces 1939-1945. This memorial avenue was opened on 8/12/1957 by Lt General H Gordon Bennett C.B-C.M.G.-D.S.O.-V.D. Commander 8th Div.”