The Gawler RSL Sub-Branch is one-step closer to fulfilling its vision for a new All Wars Memorial at Pioneer Park after receiving an $80,000 State Government grant through ArtsSA.
A giant bronze hand sculpture by acclaimed artist Robert Hannaford AM will be the centrepiece of the new memorial.
Mr Hannaford’s vision for the sculpture is for it to be a moving and powerful symbol that is open to interpretation and that will evoke many different emotions from visitors to the memorial.
Local Member of Parliament, Tony Piccolo said that Gawler is proud of its veterans and their families and is committed to honouring and remembering its defence force personnel in a respectful way.
“The memorial will also acknowledge Gawler’s unique connection with the 86 Squadron and HMAS Gawler,” Mr Piccolo said.
“Members of the Gawler RSL have worked tirelessly over many years with the aim of having an All Wars Memorial at Pioneer Park.
“I was pleased to advise Paul Little, the Sub-Branch President that ArtsSA would be providing $80,000 towards their project,” he said.
Pioneer Park is the major centre for commemoration activities; however, it does not have a war memorial that provides a place for reflection for all wars and conflicts.
The current WWI memorial at Gawler South is located on the side of a busy road and does not provide an adequate place for reflection due to traffic and safety risks.
The grant will aid in commissioning the sculpture, a bronze hand two metres tall and 4.4 metres long.
The Gawler RSL Sub-Branch will work with the Town of Gawler to install the sculpture at Pioneer Park, which is the site of South Australia’s largest Anzac Day service outside of Adelaide, attracting more than 8,000 people every year.
Arts SA commented that this will be a significant and iconic artwork by a respected SA artist and will be a valuable addition to the state’s public artwork collection.
Mr Piccolo said they commented that the design is a bold statement that moves away from the form of traditional war memorials and is not tied to a specific time, place or event, resulting in a moving and powerful symbol that is evocative and open to broad and inclusive interpretation.
The “resting hand” will be placed on a rectangular concrete plinth 5.5m long x 2m deep, surrounded by circular paving connecting to the existing pathway in Pioneer Park.
This paving at ground level provides for accessible, 360 degress viewing of the sculpture, and the raised plinth provides for the RSL wreath laying and other commemorative plaques/tiles.
Mr Hannaford has designed a unique and significant piece of art that will provide a place of reflection for all the men and women who served and died for their country in all wars, conflicts, peacekeeping operations, and to ensure their contribution, suffering, sacrifice and memory lives on.