ANZAC Memorial and Commemorative Artworks Consultation
Bundaberg Regional Council has appointed Niche Environment and Heritage to do the research for, and curation of, ANZAC Memorials and Commemorative Artworks.
They have extensive Local and State Government experience and a record of delivering successful strategic heritage projects throughout Queensland.
Niche is committed to providing the necessary focus and resources to ensure that the memorial aspect of the ANZAC Park Redevelopment is a success and, in a broader sense, for further ANZAC commemorative artworks around the region.
Their task is to engage with the region’s ex-service organisations to undertake the research, consultation, and collection of the stories from the Bundaberg Region as they relate to service personnel, service animals and the events of their service.
Niche is then required to shape this information into a cohesive theme / story that can be used to inform the curation of the memorial and commemorative aspects of the ANZAC Park redevelopment.
The invaluable history and stories collected will also be stored for future commemorative projects as required around the region.
We welcome your stories, whether you are from an ex-service organisation, served yourself, or had friends or family from the Bundaberg region who served our country and shared their stories with you.
Please register for updates if you would like to be kept up to date with future consultation opportunities.
Your stories, our history
An important part of this process, is to find out the stories from Bundaberg region ex-service organisations, personnel and family and friends.
Throughout our history, the Bundaberg region has contributed significantly to the national effort in armed conflicts and other military activities.
Some people and events, like the famous Bert Hinkler who served during World War I, are well-known and commemorated today.
Others, like the story of Private Alfred Bullpit, who lost his sight in an injury in 1915, have been largely forgotten. (You can read his story here),
We are collecting information on the region’s wartime past so that it can be more fully recognized and told.
We would love to hear from you if you have stories, great or small, that relate to this topic and that you are willing to share. Please fill out the survey below.
If you would prefer a paper copy please contact Council during working hours on 1300 883 699 or email engagement@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.
Update
Please note: submissions have now closed.
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Memorial curation for redeveloped Anzac Park
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Memorial curation for the redeveloped Anzac Park will be underway in the New Year with consultants Niche Environment and Heritage Pty Ltd selected to undertake the work.
Niche undertook an extensive community consultation process on behalf of Bundaberg Regional Council, providing opportunities for stories about local servicepeople and animals to be shared.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said, at its 19 December meeting, Bundaberg Regional Council endorsed a specialised supplier arrangement that would see the Niche team continue with the project.
“During the consultation process Niche developed an extensive and detailed knowledge of military history across the region, including the stories of individual service personnel,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“The Anzac Park redevelopment and memorial curation is now transitioning to detailed design and the commissioning of artworks so having Niche appointed as a specialist supplier to provide guidance and support to artists and designers will ensure the project maintains momentum.
“This will ensure a consistent vision and theme throughout the entire process and see Niche play a critical role in the ongoing consultation and management of the multiple stakeholder groups throughout the remainder of the project.”
Councillor Jason Bartels recently provided an update on the Anzac Park redevelopment, including the safekeeping of the original pool’s foundation stone.
“Council is committed to ensuring Anzac Park remains true to its purpose as a place of remembrance and respect,” Cr Bartels said.
“The revitalised Anzac Park will be a gathering place for commemorative services and will see increased visitation of the memorial as the project’s elements combine to create what will be a premier destination.”
Niche Principal – Heritage, Dr Kevin Rains welcomed the news that they had been selected as specialised supplier for the next stage of memorial curation.
He was one of the team members that undertook a range of consultation sessions in the Bundaberg Region in the first stage of the memorial curation process.
His passion lies in talking with community and discovering personal stories that allow more people to connect with history and he said he’s excited to continue working on the project.
“We did all the background research and consulted with the community to tease out to find key stories regarding, I guess, Bundaberg’s involvement in all the conflicts from the 19th century to the present time,” Dr Rains said.
“It will be a great opportunity to work with the artists to help them generate art for the community and tell those stories in another way.
“It’s a huge privilege really, I feel very honoured to be part of that process and to contribute to it.
“Council has been a great organisation to deal with and the people we have worked with so far have been fabulous.”
A number of project documents related to the Anzac Park redevelopment and its early community engagement phase have been published on the project page following community interest.
Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.
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Stories sought to shape commemorative spaces
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The stories and images of local veterans and service animals are being sought to help shape the design of the Anzac Park redevelopment’s commemorative spaces.
The consultation process was recently launched through local ex-service organisations with an online war history register now available for anyone to submit locally relevant information and imagery.
Collating the stories is the first step in creating a significant local Anzac tribute, with detailed design of a range of memorials and interpretive artwork to be undertaken as a separate engagement process.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said the Anzac Park redevelopment would feature commemorative spaces dedicated to the region's service personnel.
“It will consist of an Anzac Avenue memorial walk with opportunities to display names, locations or significant events involving local service personnel and service animals,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“I encourage anyone with information, stories, memories, images, documents and anything else related to the region’s service history to take part in this consultation process.
“We have such a rich history and it's one that should be showcased in a significant and unique way.
“Whether its information about your own service, the ex-service organisation you represent, or stories shared by family and friends, this survey will provide everyone with an opportunity to build upon our local history so that it will be forever remembered.”
The existing Anzac memorial will be relocated to provide a focus point for commemorative services and events proposed to be held in this space.
The redeveloped Anzac Park will seek to complement existing major memorial spaces throughout the region including the War Nurses Memorial.
The stories and information received throughout the consultation process will support the development of commemorative spaces within Anzac Park and could also be collated for a regional memorial guide or digital archive.
Commemorative spaces in redeveloped Anzac Park
Spread throughout the four main areas of Anzac Park, the redevelopment presents the following opportunities for memorials and/or commemorative art pieces:
• An entrance feature as an obvious statement identifying the park
• A series of smaller memorial stations
• Inlays in the memorial avenue
• Opportunity to use the existing memorial modifying it to raise its profile
• An opportunity for more of an interpretive piece displayed on the retaining wall that leads down to the riverside walkway
• Opportunities for memorials within gardens
• Opportunities for memorial or commemorative elements to be incorporated into park furnitureNiche engaged for commemorative spaces consultation
Through the engagement of consultant Niche Environment and Heritage, an online war history register has been made available providing residents the opportunity for online submissions.
Information including stories about war veterans, service animals, photos and more can be contributed as part of the consultation process.
Submissions will be cross-referenced with historical records before being utilised in the Anzac Park redevelopment.
Niche has undertaken work on a number of heritage projects, including work with local government.
Spokesperson Jane Austen said community consultation was a major part of the Anzac Park project.
“Our teams provide strategic advice and technical expertise to facilitate sustainable development and create positive outcomes for our environment, heritage and communities, and for our clients,” she said.
“We are engaged specifically to undertake the research and consultation to arrive at a set of topics and related stories to inform the development of memorials and commemorative elements/artworks.”
In addition to facilitating the community survey Niche is also responsible for engaging with local ex-service organisations and veteran groups.
Following an initial session in September, RSL Sub-Branch President Graham Crowden said he was looking forward to working with Council and the consultant to provide feedback on the project.
“ANZAC Park will provide a great expanse of commemorative space where we, the veterans of Bundaberg, on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day in particular, will stand together to mourn the loss of friends and celebrate our own Service, the luck associated with returning to our families and the friends we brought home with us,” Mr Crowden said.
“Personally I believe that we’ve got the right people, these guys [Niche] really know what they’re doing, they’re good historians and they’ve obviously done this before.
“I’m looking forward to getting into the real consultation with regards to what’s going to be required by all three services [in the project’s design] to justify the name ANZAC Park.”
Access the project page and take part in the consultation process here. Submissions close on December 16.
Who's Listening
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Phone 1300 883 699 Email economic.development@bundaberg.qld.gov.au
