Coolatai Founding Families War Memorial Monument

Coolatai Village is located north-west of Inverell in NSW. It has a small population but an extensive history of military service. Built in 2021, its Founding Families War Memorial Monument consists of three sandstone pillars, each with a metal panel attached. Each pillar is made up of three sandstone blocks, stacked horizontally on top of one another.

The panels include an honour roll of locals who served in the First and Second Worlds, South East Asia, Afghanistan, and under the National Service Scheme, in the Citizen Military Forces, and Army Reserves. They also feature the biographies of five veterans, four men and one woman, which include photographs, service records, and personal details. 

To the left and right of the pillars are two silhouette sculptures made of metal. On the left is a serviceman and on the right is a servicewoman, accompanied by a horse and a dog. Positioned at the base of the back of the memorial are three large metal poppies, complete with bright red petals. 

Local residents Michelle Coulton and Angela Stewart came up with the idea for a memorial. The project was coordinated by the Coolatai War Memorial Committee, led by Michelle. Research for the panels was completed by Donna Smith and the artistic design was done by Sharon Gilmour. The sandstone blocks came from Warwick Sandstone and Year 11 design students from Warialda High School created the poppies. Funding was received from the Gwydir Shire Council, the local community, and a 'Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grant' from the Australian Government. 

The memorial was unveiled by Donna Smith on 24 April 2021, alongside representatives of the committee and Local Government. It will become the site for various commemorative services to be held throughout the year.

Note: Information about the construction of the memorial was provided by the Coolatai War Memorial Committee. Photographs were provided by Talia Hill from the Inverell Tourist Centre.