Korumburra War Memorial
19 Queen Street KORUMBURRA, South Gippsland Shire
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The Korumburra World War 1 Soldiers' Memorial, designed by RV Courtney and constructed by GB Edwards in 1922 in Bridge Street and later moved to Coleman Park in Queen Street, Korumburra.
Why is it Significant?
The Korumburra World War 1 Soldiers' Memorial is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to South Gippsland Shire.
Historically, it is the major memorial in the former Shire of Korumburra dedicated to the soldiers who served in the First World War and demonstrates the impact of the War upon the district. (AHC criteria - A.4 and D.2) Socially, it is an important regional focus of Anzac Day, and demonstrates the importance placed upon the erection of a suitable memorial by local communities. (AHC criterion - G.1) Aesthetically, the scale and quality of design make it the finest World War 1 memorial in the Shire.
(AHC criterion - E.1)
-
-
Korumburra War Memorial - Physical Description 1
The Korumburra World War 1 Soldiers' Memorial in Coleman Park, Korumburra is a Tuscan column formed of stacked Pyrmont sandstone drums standing on a low square sandstone pedestal with radiating stub walls and bollards on a two step plinth and linked to the pedestal with bronze chains and trims. The dedications are engraved in black on granite panels on each side of the pedestal. The column is surmounted by a bronze scrolled finial which contains a mounting for a light (now missing).
The memorial is distinguished from other similar memorials in the Shire by the scale and quality of its design.
Korumburra War Memorial - Physical Description 2
Designer
RV Courtney
Contractor
GB Edwards
Style
War memorial
Korumburra War Memorial - Historical Australian Themes
Thematic Context
Government and Community Institution
Sub-Themes
Military Defence
Veterans Description for Public
Korumburra War Memorial - Veterans Description for Public
The Korumburra War Memorial was designed by RV Courtney and constructed by GB Edwards in 1922. It was originally erected on Bridge Street but later moved to Coleman Park in Queen Street. The memorial comprises of a Tuscan column formed of stacked Pyrmont sandstone drums, standing on a low square sandstone pedestal with radiating stub walls. There are bollards on a two step plinth which are linked to the pedestal with bronze chains. The dedications are engraved in black on granite panels on each side of the pedestal. The column is surmounted by a bronze scrolled finial which contains a mounting for a light which is now missing.
Following the conclusion of the First World War there was keen debate in the Shire of Korumburra about the most fitting way to recognise and commemorate the memory of the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during that conflict. At several meetings held during 1918 and 1919, different schemes including an Avenue of Honour, a Memorial Hall, a Hospital and a monument were all discussed. At one stage during a Council meeting in May 1919, the Shire received a deputation from the local branch of the Returned Soldiers' Sailors' and Airman's Imperial League of Australia, which asked that the decision be deferred until a referendum of ratepayers had been held.
The Council decided at first to hold the referendum, however, this motion was later defeated on a technicality. Following this, Council finally decided to proceed with the construction of a monument at Korumburra, however, the debate did not end there; the first proposed site at the corner of Radovick and Commercial Streets met with strong public opposition and, after hearing a deputation of local residents, Council eventually decided agree to change the site to the intersection of Bridge and Commercial Streets. Finally, on October 14th 1922 the monument was unveiled by Brigadier General Elliott.
The monument lists a total of 218 names of the fallen, including those who served in the Second World War.
Heritage Study and Grading
South Gippsland - South Gippsland Heritage Study
Author: David Helms with Trevor Westmore
Year: 2004
Grading:
-
-
-
-
-
KORUMBURRA RAILWAY STATION COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Register H1571
-
COAL CREEK, KORUMBURRAVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
ShopGreater Geelong City
-
10 Down StreetYarra City
-
-