Hervey Bay Freedom Park

Hervey Bay Freedom Park was officially opened on 17th July 1921. At that time it was identified as the Cenotaph in the Pialba Railway Square Common. The cenotaph replaced the canon that was guarded by a flag pole on either side in honour of our local diggers who did not come back. That site is perpetuated as our local place of commemoration of the fallen and those who have served.

The cenotaph still stands “9ft tall and in impressive marble” since that time. With the closing of the railway station in the early 1990's, the Hervey Bay RSL, with the assistance of the local council, re-positioned the cenotaph to accommodate a more balanced park layout. This was completed in 1998.

In all our commemorative services, Hervey Bay always attracted large crowds and gatherings. This created its own safety and logistics concerns. As a result, further expansion of the park was needed and made possible on the railway land then vacant. The Hervey Bay Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia set out plans to effect a suitably designed expansion of the park.

The result is today’s impressive monument with its landscaped gardens in commemoration to all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to those who have served and are still serving to keep our country safe. The new design was completed in 2015, in time for the Anzac celebrations of that year. The costing of this expansion was funded by the local RSL, the local Council, state and federal governments and private donations.

We are very proud to have as its focus point the bronze statue depicting a Queensland Light Horseman on his trusted mount, charging the enemy trench lines during the battle of Beersheba in Egypt. This action against Turkish troops took place on October 31, 1917 well after the landing at ANZAC Cove. It was an historic victory.

The Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch have published a book which describes our Freedom Park project and some of the history linked to the site. This limited edition publication is dedicated to the centenary celebrations of World War 1. It is informative, well illustrated and of good value.