NATIONAL MEMORIAL TO THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY

"You wouldn't let your mate down, would you ?'

 

• This memorial has been created to honour the courage and self sacrifice of generations of Australians who served in the Australian Army.
• The central focus of the memorial is two Australian 'Diggers' representing the essential 'core' of the Army, These soldiers are depicted in a classic patrol position, the ultimate expression of the term 'mate ship'.
• The sculptors secondary title for the work: ' Every Mothers Son' expresses the fact that the sculptures are symbolic of all the # sons' of Australia, be they Fathers, husbands Brothers, Sons who literally and figuratively went out on patrol to preserve the essential qualities of life, civilization and freedom that all Australians enjoy today.
• The figures are set against a backdrop of seven pillars representing the seven major campaigns of the Australian Army. These pillars cross a pool of water symbolizing the fact that all these campaigns were fought overseas. The dais is a simulated reference to both the rock-face of difficult terrain over which they fought and the Australian Army Insignia of the Rising Sun.
• Sculpted and cast in silica bronze by Joan Walsh-Smith & Charles Smith with the assistance of the Australian Army and in particular the officers and men of 22 Construction Squadron, Perth. Architects: Ken Maher and Partners.