Clunes War Memorial

On 20th January 1920 the Clunes Guardian and Gazette carried a report of a public meeting held in the Clunes Town Hall. This meeting was convened by the Mayor, Councillor P. Rowe J.P., and held under the auspices of the local branches of the Returned Soldiers Association, and the Soldiers Fathers Association. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the erection of a memorial, of a worthy and permanent nature, to honour those who had given their lives in the cause of freedom and justice. 

Following the meeting a subscription list was opened with a target of 500 pounds, and the following issues of the Guardian and Gazette contain lists of the donations received. These donations came from families, individuals, businesses and organisations.

By 21stJuly 1921 the site for the memorial had been selected. It was to be located on Crown Land at the heart of the town, the corner of Fraser and Service Streets. Messrs. Corben and Scott, of Clifton Hill submitted the successful tender for a cost of 450 pounds. The design was for an Australian soldier standing at ease, to be sculpted in marble. The soldier was to stand on a granite obelisk above a bluestone base.

On Saturday 19th November 1921, the monument was unveiled by Senator Harold Elliott (Ret. Brigadier General ‘Pompey’ Elliott CB, CMG, DSO, DCM, VD, at a solemn ceremony to commemorate those who had gone to the War from Clunes and District, and to remember those who had enlisted from all parts of the Commonwealth. In concluding his remarks Senator Elliott said he ‘hoped and believed that the contemplation engendered by such memorials would inspire the current and succeeding generations to prove themselves worthy of the great sacrifices made for them. If such a spirit of determination was established then the object for which the memorial was raised will be fully accomplished’.

During the unveiling ceremony the Mayor, Councillor Rowe, impressed upon all present the necessity of protecting and preserving the monument in every possible way, and not allow anyone to interfere with it.

On Anzac Day, 1923 the fence around the memorial was dedicated by Sir Alexander Peacock.

In 1999 additional work was undertaken on the memorial to honour the men and women who served in the wars of 1914-1918, 1939-1945, and in Borneo, Malaya, Korea and Vietnam campaigns. This work included the names of those killed in World War 2.

Subsequently this work was expanded to include all subsequent peace keeping operations and to honour an airman killed in Iraq. 

The Clunes RSL act as custodians of the memorial and it is protected under the Hepburn Shire Council’s heritage program. It is the focal point of the Anzac Day Services and the Remembrance Day Service held each year in Clunes.

• Clunes Guardian and Gazette various issues 1920-23 https://trove.nla.gov.au/search