Australian Peace Memorial
Wentworth Military Collection IncThe Peace Memorial is the first of its type in Australia, being the first time colour stone etching has been used in the creation of such a memorial.
The memorial itself features a colour etched Australian National Flag, a recognised emblem of Australian Military Service and a flag that Australian servicemen and women have served and sacrificed for over the past 100 years and that is currently worn to identify Australians in uniform no matter their gender, race, cultural or religious backgrounds under the ethos of Courage, Initiative, Teamwork and Respect.
The Three Red Poppies, a universal emblem of sacrifice and remembrance, represents sacrifices past, present and future.
The past: for those that gave their tomorrows for our today, a pledge that we will never forget the actions of our past service and that our history is provided for all of us to learn from.
The present: that we continue to serve and that sacrifices are ever present. That we follow a history of customs and traditions which connect our past with our present and identifies that history has shaped us and provides our current circumstance that we experience today.
The future: That sacrifice will continue. That our servicemen and women will always face the uncertainty of their fate. That our lives have purpose and that we are provided with a future to shape as our own. That as much as we try to learn from our past, we tend to repeat contexts of conflict, fear and acceptance. That we cannot choose of past. We can however choose our future. That our past does not define us, but allows us to create a foundation for our choice of future actions.
The Preyer of Peace is etched in stone and cannot be simply wiped off. It depicts the need and want for universal peace. That there is an effort and value required to achieve, preserve and maintain that peace.
The black granite reflective surface allows a Child to stand before the memorial and view their own reflection through the Preyer of Peace, providing them the opportunity to understand that the Peace for their generation is for THEM to preserve and maintain.
No matter their gender, their cultural or religious beliefs, their upbringing, their ambition, their future; they will have their own reflection appear without bias or discrimination.
The Peace Memorial displays no names, no service numbers or dates.
It is timeless, universal and represents all who have served, do serve now and will continue to serve for generations to come; to all who have made the sacrifice for which we honour and will forever remember them.
