Cooke Park War Memorial, Parkes

This memorial honours all military personnel who failed to return home after military actions. It stands at the corner of Cooke Park, near the intersection of Welcome and Short Streets. The memorial is constructed of granite with bronze art designs. It is comprised of five stelae, situated at the rear of a sloping platform. Each stele is decorated with the following imagery, representing a conflict:

• First World War - Simpson and his donkey
• Second World War - Fuzzy Wuzzy and wounded soldier on the Kokoda Trail
• Korea - Soldiers marching
• Vietnam - Operation Ulmarah depicting helicopters and troops
• 'Peacekeepers' (centre stele) - a dove

Dimensions:

• The stelae are 1500mm high, 200mm deep and 900mm wide.
• The platform is 600mm high, 450mm deep and 14 metres wide.
• From the top of the steps to the platform is 2000mm, and each of the five steps is 1200mm wide.

The memorial is surrounded by the following landscaping:

• The walkway from the corner of Welcome and Short Streets is bordered by rose gardens.
  • Right side of garden - yellow rose signifying peace
  • Left side of garden - red rose signifying loss of life - 'Lest We Forget'
  • Centre of garden - white rose signifying loss of innocence
• Within the garden stands a restored German feldkanone.
• The end of the walkway is surrounded by rosemary.