War Memorials of Queensland's Scenic Rim Region

Location: Scenic Rim Region, Queensland, Australia

Surnames/tags: military_and_war queensland

Profile manager: Kenneth Evans

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1 What is a War Memorial?
2 Where are these War Memorials?
3 The Diggers
4 Further reading

What is a War Memorial?

War Memorials are often cenotaphs, that is, monuments or empty tombs erected specifically in honour those killed in a war. War memorials may also take many different styles, such as (but not limited to) avenue of trees, bridge, building, cairn, cemetery, clock, columbarium, flagpole, fountain, garden, gate, monument, obelisk, park, pool, sports field or court, wall, window.

War Memorials in Australia are frequently distinctive in that often it is not only the dead who are commemorated, but all those from the local community who served, especially in The Great War. Being a nation just thirteen years old at the commencement of that first world war, and noting that its first great army was composed entirely of volunteers, Australians justifiably sought to show honour to all its Diggers. This is borne-out at Maroon (see below) where, from 35 families living in the district, 42 young men enlisted in that war and are named on the memorial; with seventeen paying the supreme price. The memorial at Beaudesert lists all 524 local men and women who served in the war; 91 of whom lost their lives.

Where are these War Memorials?

War Memorials may be found in fifteen towns, villages and communities throughout South East Queensland's Scenic Rim region, at:

Beaudesert

A town 65 kilometres south of the Brisbane CBD on the junction of the north-south Mount Lindesay Highway and the east-west Gold Coast to Warwick road. At the corner of Brisbane and William Streets stands a sandstone obelisk ten metres (33 feet) high and comprises a substantial pedestal surmounted by a digger statue. The War Memorial is 'guarded' by reclining lions. At the front of the monument stands a most-relaxed white marble digger with an open shirt, pipe in right hand and rifle slung over his left shoulder. On close inspection, the trigger of the rifle is mistakenly reversed. The memorial lists the names of all those who participated in The Great War and those who died during the Second World War. Small plaques commemorate those from the Korea, Malaya, Borneo, and Vietnam conflicts. There is a separate palm grove in the nearby Jubilee Park commemorating those from the Vietnam War.

Beaudesert War Memorial

Beechmont

A village 45 kilometres south east of Beaudesert. In Graceleigh Park, Beechmont Road stands a large rock on a pedestal with plaques list the names of locals who laid down their lives in the world wars and Vietnam War. There is an honour board in the Beechmont State School.

Boonah

Scenic Rim's second largest town, situated just 48 kilometres south of Ipswich City by the Boonah-Ipswich Road or 60 kilometres by the Cunningham Highway. A large digger-topped obelisk made of Ulam (near Gladstone) marble commemorates fallen diggers and nurses from all relevant wars. Boonah also has a memorial community swimming pool.

Canungra

A small town 33 kilometres east of Beaudesert. An Obelisk stands in D J Smith Park with a plaque listing those who paid the supreme sacrifice in the two world wars. Nurses.

Harrisville

A village 27 kilometres north of Boonah.

Hillview

A small rural community south of Beaudesert. Their memorial to fallen diggers is a Flagpole.

Kalbar

A township near the Cunningham Highway, fourteen kilometres west of Boonah. It has a Memorial Hall with honour board.

Maroon

A small rural community 32 kilometres south east of Boonah on the Rathdowney Road. The Memorial is a Digger standing atop a 5.3m Sandstone Column, which in turn rests on a substantial Pedestal and Plinth, in the grounds of Maroon State School. Of 35 families living in the district, 42 young men enlisted in the First World War, including eight sets of brothers; seventeen paid the supreme price, one of the highest rates of loss in communities across Australia. Also commemorated are those who lost their lives in the Second World War and Women's Services.

Maroon War Memorial

Mount Alford

A community sixteen kilometres south of Boonah. The Mount Alford State School hosts Queensland's smallest digger memorial.

Mutdapilly

A small rural community 37 kilometres north west of Boonah on the Cunningham Highway. An honour board is on display in the Mutdapilly State School.

Peak Crossing

A village 28 kilometres north of Boonah. Memorial hall and honour board.

Rathdowney

A village 35 kilometres south of Beaudesert on the Mount Lindesay Highway. Rathdowney hosts a Memorial Ground and Gate.

Tamborine Mountain

Tamborine Mountain stands mid-way between Beaudesert and the Gold Coast. Whilst it is part of the Scenic Rim, the media like to claim it as the Gold Coast Hinterland. The mountain community commemorates its fallen through the Gates of the Bowls Club and an Honour Board inside the clubhouse.

Tamborine Village

Tamborine Village lies twenty kilometres east of Beaudesert, at the foot of Tamborine Mountain. A Memorial Hall includes an Honour Board, with a large rock and plaque at the front.

Woodhill

A traditionally rural community located six kilometres north of Beaudesert on the Mount Lindesay Highway that is gradually being developed since it became part of Logan City. An Obelisk standing in front of the Woodhill Hall was unveiled on 9th November 1946. It includes the names of fallen soldiers from the two World Wars. An Honour Board with the names of those locals who served in the First World War has been on display inside the hall since 1918.

Woodhill War Memorial

The Diggers

At Beaudesert * Boonah * Maroon * Mount Alford. No two digger memorials are the same, and actual people have modelled for the sculptors. And there are so many subtle differences in the detail, for instance, leaning on rifle or rifle slung, feet together as at Attention or apart as in Standing at Ease, various styles of headdress (slouch hat, peak cap, helmet, etc), looking down or looking out, moustache, etc.