Stawell WWI Memorial
Main Street STAWELL, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS 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
The War Memorials in Main Street, Stawell, are significant as important commemorative sculptures to the soldiers who fought and died in wars during the 20th century. The Soldiers' Memorial - which is dedicated to those who fought and died in the First World War - was unveiled in 1923, having been erected by George Robson, monumental mason of Stawell. The Australian soldier figure sculpture was sculpted in Italy. The second War Memorial was constructed in the late 20th century.
The War Memorials are aesthetically significant at a LOCAL level. The Soldiers' Memorial demonstrates important visual qualities that include the Harcourt granite base with the sides of polished traclyte, three granite steps, polished traclyte neck (with inscription), and an Australian soldier figure sculpture in full kit, standing with arms reversed. The second War Memorial also demonstrates important visual qualities that include the triangular flower plot, granite coffin-like form and circular head piece adorned with a spherical, polish granite sculpture representing the planet Earth.
The War Memorials are historically significant at a LOCAL level. They are associated with those who fought and died in the First and Second World Wars, and the wars in Borneo, Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. The Soldiers' Memorial, unveiled in 1923, is associated with the Stawell Girls' Remembrance League, which formed during World War One and who raised the funds for the Memorial (the League ceased functioning in 1957). The Soldiers' Memorial is also associated with George Robson, monumental mason of Stawell.
The War Memorials are socially significant at a LOCAL level. They are recognised and highly valued by the Stawell community for commemorative and cultural reasons.
Overall, the War Memorials are of LOCAL significance.
RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE: LOCAL
-
-
Stawell WWI Memorial - Physical Description 1
The War Memorials are situated on a triangular piece of land at the western of end of Main Street, Stawell. The Soldiers' Memorial consists of a Harcourt granite base with the sides of polished traclyte, three granite steps, polished traclyte neck and an Australian soldier figure sculpture in full kit, standing with arms reversed. The memorial is 5.5 metres (16 ft) in height.
The inscription on the neck of the memorial reads:
"Erected by the Stawell Girls' Remembrance League to the Honour of the Living and the Everlasting Glory of the Dead who fought in the Great War 1914-1919, Lest we Forget." The names of 61 soldiers of the Stawell Borough who paid the supreme sacrifice are engraved on the memorial under which is inscribed "Faithful Unto Death".
In front of the Memorial is a triangular flower plot that contains a Memorial to those who fought and died in the Second World War, Malayan, Korean, Borneo and Vietnam Wars. It is constructed of granite in the form of a coffin and a circular head piece adorned with a spherical polished granite sculpture representing the planet Earth.
Veterans Description for Public
Stawell WWI Memorial - Veterans Description for Public
The Stawell WWI Memorial is situated on a triangular piece of land at the western of end of Main Street. It comprises of a marble soldier statue sculpted in Italy for G.H. Robson, the local monumental mason who erected the memorial. The soldier stands at 5.5 metres (16 ft) tall in full uniform, with his rifle reversed in the symbolic funereal position. It was unveiled on November 10th 1923 by the Ven. Archdeacon T.P. Bennett, and Miss G. Fawcett, President of the Girls' Remembrance League who raised the £700 for the Memorial's construction. The Mayor, Cr. A.J. Wood, was asked to accept the memorial on behalf of the people of Stawell.
The inscription on the memorial reads:
"Erected by the Stawell Girls' Remembrance League to the Honour of the Living and the Everlasting Glory of the Dead who fought in the Great War 1914-1919, Lest We Forget."
The names of 61 soldiers of the Stawell Borough who paid the supreme sacrifice are engraved on the memorial under which is inscribed "Faithful Unto Death".
The Girls' Remembrance League was a body of local women formed during World War One. After 38 years the League ceased functioning in April 1957. At the winding up of the League, tribute was paid to Messrs Morris and Ken Robson, monumental masons of Stawell for carrying out their late father's promise to keep the Soldier's Memorial cleaned free of charge to the League - work carried out faithfully for 33 years.
Heritage Study and Grading
Northern Grampians - Shire of Northern Grampians - Stage 2 Heritage Study
Author: Wendy Jacobs, Vicki Johnson, David Rowe, Phil Taylor
Year: 2004
Grading: Local
-
-
-
-
-
HILL PIPE ORGAN - ST PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCHVictorian Heritage Register H2177
-
CENTRAL PARKVictorian Heritage Register H2284
-
COMMONWEALTH MEMORIALVictorian Heritage Register H1943
-
-