The Rotary Armistice Memorial
The Rotary Club of Hope IslandIt all started with Past District Governor Sandy Doumany's desire for a lasting contribution to the community from the Rotary Club of Hope Island.
On the 9th November 2017, the Board of the Club submitted a grant application for funding from the Armistice Centenary Grant Program managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. We did this with the support of the Hon Stuart Robert, our Federal Member.
The Program was established by the Federal Government to provide grants for community based projects to commemorate the end of the First World War.
On the 27th June 2018 we received confirmation of $50,000 toward our Armistice Memorial.
We received immediate support from the real estate company, Mulpha Sanctuary Cove, and were offered an island in the middle of a lake at the entrance to Sanctuary Cove.
The architectural company DBI Design created pro bono concept drawings and costings. We then needed to raise $150,000 to start work and make the Armistice Memorial a true icon for the Hope Island Community. We are proud to say with sponsorship and fundraising we have achieved our goal.
Our Rotary Club Memorial Committee guided the project and building process. The community became involved and named the lake Reflection Lake and the island, Memorial Island. There is a causeway linking the island to the mainland giving access.
The completed project visually enhances the entrance to Sanctuary Cove especially at night when the bridge, pathways and Memorial are floodlit.
Timber bollards form a big circle around the Memorial with community-dedicated plaques on the top of the bollards to honour family members.
It has been a wonderful journey with the support of so many people, and with considerable pride we know how important Rotary is to our community.
The Armistice Memorial was blessed in early November 2019. We have satisfaction in seeing the community visit and enjoy the space but most of all remember those who sacrificed so much for us.
