The Portland War Memorial is a decorative granite pillar, positioned on a granite plinth. It is topped with a granite sculpture of an urn, partially covered by a shroud. There are three bronze honour rolls attached to the pillar, on its front, back, and right sides. They list the names of Portland residents who served in all Australian Defence Forces in the First and Second World Wars, Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam.
On the left side of the pillar is a large bronze plaque, dedicated to local Second World War veteran Corporal John Bernard Mackey VC. Mackey was killed in action on 12 May 1945 and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
The construction and dedication dates of the memorial are unknown. However, articles in the Lithgow Mercury from the 1950s provide a guide to when discussion and planning began. On 26 August 1954, the paper reported on an inspection of the "proposed war memorial site in Vale Street", which is perpendicular to Wolgan Street, where the memorial was built. The next month, they wrote about a proposed "public appeal for direct cash donations" to fund the project (Lithgow Mercury, 16 September 1954).
The memorial stands in the front yard of the Portland Country Women's Association, which is next door to the Portland RSL Club. Public commemoration services take place on site.
Do you know more about this war memorial? Learn how you can contribute to the NSW War Memorials Register.
Read more about Corporal John Bernard Mackey VC on the NSW War Memorials Register.