Pottsville Remembers
Mark Radisich, Honorary SecretaryThe Pottsville Beach Cenotaph located at ANZAC Park Pottsville Beach adjacent to the Community Hall on Tweed Coast Road is a sepulchral monument in honour of those whose remains are elsewhere.
The design of the cenotaph is appropriately solemn and dignified and the structure evokes a sense of service and loss.
The cenotaph was erected on behalf of the RSL Pottsville & District Sub-Branch by Mr Nick Gazzard, monumental mason from East Coast Memorials, Mullumbimby NSW.
Built of Australian Grandee Grey granite sitting on a Caspar White granite dais, the cenotaph stands approximately two meters tall on a base of approximately ten meters square. There is a large back plate with the three Australian Defence Force Service crests, a rising central spire and cross; and side wings that symbolically are open to embrace those from the Navy, Army and Air Force who have served and died in war and conflict for Australia.
Re-dedicated on Saturday the 19thof March 2016, this new cenotaph sits in the heart of Pottsville Beach. It replaces a smaller granite obelisk cenotaph built on the same site in 1988. The cenotaph is a subtle and tangible reminder of those who built Pottsville and of those locals who have served and fought for Australia.
History
ANZAC Park at Pottsville Beach and the immediately adjacent Pottsville RSL Memorial Park—often referred to as “Pottsville Oval”—make up a larger memorial site that has been in continuous use since 1946.
1946 - Local members of the Returned Sailors, Soldiers & Airmen Imperial League of Australia (now the RSL) built the Pottsville RSL Memorial Park oval. They displayed an impressive, strong, and selfless sense of community. Using only manpower and one light draught horse they donated their time, a great deal of sweat and effort, and some money to carve the oval—the Pottsville RSL Memorial Park—out of the scrub on Crown land. They did this for the children from five local schools around the Pottsville area.
1947 - Memorial gates bearing the name “Pottsville RSL Memorial Park” were erected on the northern side of the oval.
1988 - The first cenotaph at ANZAC Park Pottsville Beach was built.
1997 - Memorial gates bearing the name “Pottsville RSL Memorial Park” were replaced after being damaged earlier.
2001- Tweed Shire Council, and local RSL members and volunteers constructed ANZAC Park and the memorial pathway between the cenotaph and the memorial gates.
2010 – A granite nominal roll bearing the names of locals who served was erected near the cenotaph.
2016 – The cenotaph at ANZAC Park Pottsville Beach was renovated, enlarged and re-dedicated on 19th of March 2016.
Memorial improvements and maintenance at the site have been funded by the Tweed Shire, by donations from RSL Pottsville & District Sub-Branch, local people and businesses, and some small government grants.
As at 2018, people still regularly use the oval for sport and casual recreation. The memorial site is the focus for individual commemoration as well as community events such as ANZAC Day, Vietnam Veterans’ Day and Remembrance Day.
ANZAC Park Pottsville Beach – Plaques and Inscriptions
There are numerous plaques to be found around ANZAC Park and at the gates to Pottsville RSL Memorial Park.
Plaque 1—Pottsville Beach Sub Branch of the R.S.L. of Australia. “ANZAC PARK”. Opened this day 11/11/01 by Mr. Max Lenehan District State Councillor in honour and memory of our fallen comrades. W. Clacher President. B. Stevenson Secretary. “LEST WE FORGET”.
Plaque 2—In remembrance of all ex-servicemen who served in all wars in defence of their country. Tweed River War Widows Association 11th November 2002.
Plaque 3—Pottsville Beach R.S.L. Ladies Auxiliary. In fond memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice for their country in all conflicts.
Plaque 4—Pottsville Beach & District Nominal Roll Dedication Saturday 10thJuly 2010. Unveiled by Mr. Don Rowe OAM NSW State President of the RSL & Mr. Philip Bonnor First Hon Secretary of the Sub-Branch. President John Hawes OAM. Secretary Peter Field. Treasurer Des Dever.
Plaque 5—In Memory of KOREA. 1950 – 1956. (Korea War Veterans Association plaque 14 April 2014.)
Plaque 6—Pottsville Beach Cenotaph Re-Dedication Saturday 19thMarch 2016. Unveiled by Mr Rod WhiteAM RFD NSW State President of the RSL. RSL Pottsville & District Sub-Branch. President John Hawes OAM. Secretary Mark Radisich. Treasurer Tim Whitfield.
Plaque 7—RSL Women’s Auxiliary Memorial Walk 19th March 2016.
Memorial site Establishment Date
1946
Cenotaph Re-Dedication Date
19/03/2016
Custodians
RSL Pottsville & District Sub-Branch, and Tweed Shire
