Service Women's Memorial

The memorial base is a polished grey granite slab with a flat surface on which is a square mosaic of granite stones which were gathered from all over Australia. The flat mosaic sculpture represents a carpet laid by women. The mosaic is bisected north to south by a rill or gutter, representing a river that divides the mosaic into the pre and post 1945 periods.

The insignia of the various divisions in which women have served, from World War II through to 1999 (when the Memorial was dedicated), are incised into the stone borders of the work. The lettering and insignia face inwards encouraging people to walk on the memorial. It is located under a grove of trees in the sculpture garden beside the Australian War Memorial's administration building.

In November 1997 Sydney sculptor, Anne Ferguson, won a competition for her design of the Australian Servicewomen's Memorial. Other work in Canberra by the artist is the marble finials for the staircase at Parliament House. Ferguson has also worked with sculptor Peter Corlett to create a black granite carving of the
Returned Services League Fountain in the surrounds of Parliament House.¹
 

Incised in south side of base
THIS MEMORIAL COMMEMORATES ALL WOMEN WHO SERVED, SUFFERED, AND THOSE WHO DIED IN THE DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

The role of women in the defence forces expanded dramatically during the Second World War, when nearly 70,000 volunteered and served with
great distinction. After the war, women continued to serve in the armed forces and today they are fully integrated within the three forces,
where their roles diversified and expanded.

 Plaque on concrete slab in front of memorial, south east corner

Anne Ferguson

Australian Servicewomen's Memorial
granite mosaic
acquired under commission in 1999 (90966)

The Australian Servicewomen's Memorial, dedicated to all
servicewomen, was unveiled on 27 March 1999 by the
Hon Bruce Scott MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs.
Set in a peaceful grove of trees, the use of mosaics echoes
the spiritual themes in the Hall of Memory at the Australian
War Memorial. The granite stones were collected from all
over Australia.
A river bed of black granite bisects the mosaic. One side of
the river represents the pre-1945 period, where looming
clouds of black, grey and blue evoke the ominous clouds of
war. The red and pink stones symbolise the bloodshed and
pain of sacrifice, while lighter colours represent courage and
joy of success. On the other side, representing service after
1945, lighter colours predominate, conveying a stronger
sense of peace. The artist's intent was to make a memorial
for the future as well as the past, and one that carries with it
...joy, sadness, comradeship and loss".
Visitors are invited to stand within the memorial and reflect
on the service and sacrifice of Australian Servicewomen.

Information supplied by Michael Southwell-Keely