Plaque 1
KURRAJONG PARADE
This parade of Kurrajong trees was originally planted in 1919. Each of the 178 Kurrajong trees represent a soldier from the Inverell district who gave his life during the Great War of 1914-1918. It was decided by the local council to honour those who did not return, as their relatives would not be able to visit their graves in such far off lands. It was hoped that Kurrajong Parade would keep green the memory of those who had fallen.
LEST WE FORGET
Plaque 2
"THE KURRAJONGS'"
On 12 January 1916 one hundred and fourteen men left Inverell to fight in World War I. This group christened "The Kurrajongs" after the hardy evergreen native tree dotting the district was the largest single volunteers to leave a country town. The local newspaper of the time referred to the event as "probably the proudest day in Inverell's history".
After attracting further recruits from the neighbouring towns of Warialda and Moree, the majority of the "Kurrajongs" were absorbed into the 33rd Battalion then being raised in Armidale. After initial training in Armidale, Rutherford and England, the 33rd Battalion crossed the English Channel in November 1916 and landed in France.
Many of the 'Kurrajongs" made the ultimate sacrifice. Look around you. Each Kurrajong tree in this grove is a living memorial to a citizen from the Inverell district who did not return from the Great War of 1914-18. Look at these trees; at the grass and the sky and the rolling trees and remember.
Plaque 3
THE 105mm GERMAN HOWITZER
The 105mm German Howitzer located immediately behind you was one of the thousands produced in the closing year of the Great War. As a piece of field artllery, it was used to soften targets prior to assault. It could also be used as a defensive weapon, to repel attacks.
But the gun that stands in this park is more than that.
In August of 1918, troops of the Australian 33rd Battalion, which included members of the original Kurrajongs, engaged the Germans at Bois D'Accroche on the Western Front. The fighting was ferocious and British forces on the left flank were brought to a standstill by tenacious German forces within the woods. The Australians moved left and were able to capture the guns, one of which is the howitzer in the park.
Plaque 4
The redevelopment of Kurrajong Parade was officially opened on ANZAC DAY 25th of April 2005 by Brigadier Gary Bannister, Chief of Staff Joint Logistics Command
The Apex Club of Inverell would like to thank the following organisations who have kindly contributed: Inverell Shire Council, Inverell R.S.L. Sub-Branch, National Servicemans Association Inverell Branch, Boral Concrete Inverell, Boral Masonry, Newmans Steel/Inverell Steel Supplies, M and S Moses Transport, Harris Seeds, Doug-Higgins - Bricklayer, Watkins Contractors and Landscape supplies, Laurence and Hanson, Danthonia Designs, McLachlans Smash Repair.