Memorial Lane, Gympie, Australia. Commemorating Australian Military History

[Private_collector]

Folks,

Following several requests to show some in-depth photos of a unique set of murals we have here in Gympie, I have great pleasure in presenting some of the highlights of the dedicated precinct known as Memorial Lane.

There will be a number of postings here, and I would appreciate if comments could be held until the series is finished, in order to keep the collection together.

The town of Gympie, in Queensland Australia, has a proud link with Australian Military History. This dates back to The Great War, when a number of the local men enlisted and went away to war. Not all returned, and their names are recorded on the stone pillars that together with the solid iron gates, form the entrance to the Memorial Lane project. On ANZAC Day these gates are decorated with the wreaths and floral tributes that show we have not forgotten their sacrifice.

The scenario of loss and remembrence continued in World War Two and Vietnam, with those names added to further stone pillars within the lane itself.

Sadly the most recent plaque was added just last year with the death of Corporal Ashley Birt. Corporal Birt was a Gympie local who was killed in Afghanistan, 2011.

Cont'd..

[Private_collector]

Gympie's Memorial Lane was re-dedicated in 2000, by The Mayor of Gympie, Cr. Mick Venardos, and Brigadier (Ret.) Keith Percival "Paddy" Outridge. The Brigadier would later be awarded the Australia Medal for his tireless contributions to the military community. Brigadier Outridge had at one time been the President of Gympie RSL Sub-Branch, and he dedicated his life to aiding returned servicemen & servicewomen through a number of avenues, and was a very humble man who was much loved by all who knew him. He was a true Gentleman in every sense of the word.

Brigadier Outridge passed away in 2010, from an incurable brain tumor.

The Brigadiers funeral was massive, and was attended by many past and current serving defence personnel. Several very high ranking officers from Canberra (Capital of Australia) travelled to Gympie for the service. The entire town of Gympie mourned the passing of Brigadier K. P. Outridge, A.M, MID.

There is a reason why I have made special mention of the Brigadier. It was he who first told me, proudly, that it was one of his own daughters who had created the murals which now adorn the sides of Memorial Lane.

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[Private_collector]

In the next few posts, I will present each of the murals complete, in no particular order. In later posts, close-ups of some of the detail will be featured.

Each of the murals would measure approximately 10 to 12 feet in length. They are around 5 feet high, and each would be made of several hundred individual pieces. Each piece has been hand crafted and hand painted prior to kiln firing.

The final assembly alone would make an immense job, requiring perfection of placement. I think you will agree that the result is spectacular.

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[Keith Webb]

Thanks for sharing this Tony, very interesting and good to be able to share the memory of the fallen and others who served.

[Private_collector]

There are a total of 8 murals, each as intricate and detailed.

In the third photo above, you can easily see recreation of a famous scene, showing the soldiers treading along the 'duck-boards' with their reflection in the stagnant water towards foreground.

Wait until you see some of these in closer detail!!!!

Cont'd..

[Private_collector]

The detail in these works of art is absolutely breathtaking.

I have stood in front of one or another many times, and each time I have discovered something which I had not seen before.

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[Private_collector]

Remember! Each individual piece has been crafted and painted by hand.

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[Private_collector]

In these two photos you will note there are a great number of crosses to the fallen. Each cross represents a Gympie local serviceman or servicewoman, and their names are on the cross itself. These can be read without problem when viewing in person. Brigadier Outridge also featured in the first photo. Can you spot him? I can, now that his daughter, the creator of the murals, had told me where to look.

Maybe this third photo may help. He actually appears in two seperate murals, and both locations he is in civilian attire (at his request). I have been told Mrs Outridge is represented too, she was an Army Nurse. I did not have the opportunity to know her personally, as she passed away some years before I met Mr Outridge.

Well, that's just about it, but there is one more very important thing to show before I sign off.

The most recent addition to Memorial Lane was the allocation of an area for a wall of remembrence to deceased service personnel. This is where the family of the deceased can have a specially made 'paver' added to the wall, with the service persons name, branch of service, date of birth & date of death. Unfortunately more names are added each year. They are only added and unveiled on the two significant days of the year, ANZAC Day and Remembrence Day. My own father is remembered in this wall, as is a growing number of people I have known and come to consider my friends. It saddens me greatly to see my old mates, one by one, turning from a living piece of history into a plaque acknowledging their demise.

As you can see, In Gympie we know the meaning of......

LEST WE FORGET

ende.

[cliff]

fantastic Tony. This area of Gympie holds a special meaning for me and I don't quite know why as I am an import to the area rather then born and bred here.

[Private_collector]

Cliff,

I think I know what you mean.

I am, as you say, an "Import" too.................maybe not as imported as you, but an import much the same. And considerably more recent an import than yourself, but not from as far away.

Despite that, it certainly does seem to have a warmth that appeals to all who visit. I can't explain it really. It's welcoming to all, while specifically remembering local people. Perhaps it's the effort involved in the project, the humbling of the viewer, that brings out those feelings, anyway it's just remarkable workmanship and detail.

The first time I saw Memorial Lane, it gave me a lump in the throat that no surgeon could remove! No matter how many times I visit, that feeling remains.