Growing crowds at the ANZAC Day Dawn service at Windsor will now be facing a permanent sandstone cenotaph at McQuade Park after a 11-year campaign to have it approved and built.
Members of Windsor RSL sub-branch held its first Remembrance day service in front of the new cenotaph this month on November 11th – just nine days after its official dedication.
Planning for a new cenotaph in McQuade Park began in 2013 following concerns about crowd numbers outside the historic Windsor Memorial Gates built in 1925.
Windsor RSL Sub-branch secretary Leon Walker said with more than 5,000 people attending ANZAC Dawn services in front of the Memorial Gates it was felt that there could be a more suitable venue.
“Those who managed to get a spot in front of the War Memorial were the only ones able to see and hear the service. Others packed the streets away from the War Memorial. There was also a Health and Safety Risk in people occupying local streets,” he said.
“In 2013 we submitted a proposal to Hawkesbury Council to have a “Cenotaph” included in the “McQuade Park Plan of Management”, This was just the first step.”
He said the delays occurred because the sub-branch had to deal with both Hawkesbury City Council which managed McQuade Park and NSW Heritage and because the park is on Crown Land their development application had to be resubmitted to the correct authority for consent.
While waiting for consent for the permanent structure services were held in front of temporary structures.
Mr Walker said: “For the Centenary of ANZAC in 2015 we conducted our first ANZAC Commemorative Service in McQuade Park.
We used a temporary sandstone structure which is now located at the University of Western Sydney Richmond Campus. They conduct their Commemorative Services there.” Our Average attendance at the Dawn Service now averages around 10,000.
He said the new cenotaph is a simple structure. “The three pillars represent the Navy, Army and Air Force. On ANZAC morning the sun rises to the east of the Cenotaph and beams through the three pillars. It is a place of commemoration along the same lines as the Sydney Cenotaph”.
The temporary timber structures used from 2016 to 2024 were of the same design only larger.
Funding for the permanent cenotaph was boosted by a Federal Grant through Saluting Their Service of $53,669. There were substantial additional costs covered by the Windsor RSL sub-Branch.
At the dedication service on November 2nd Veterans were joined by serving personnel and politicians with Fr Ranillo Creta, Parish Priest St Matthews Catholic Church and Chaplain Flt Lt Amanda Campbell RAAF Richmond, officiating in the blessing and dedication prayer.
The official address was delivered by Sub Branch President David Hadfield, Federal MP for Macquarie Susan Templeman and Hawkesbury’s Deputy Mayor Sarah McMahon who were joined by Sub-Branch Treasurer Dave Ingram for the unveiling. The Hawkesbury Cenotaph is our, the Windsor RSL sub-Branch, is our legacy to the Hawkesbury Community.
