Skip to main content

Ballina Cenotaph

Ballina Cenotaph
Middle
Image
Ballina Cenotaph
Image
Ballina Cenotaph
Image
Ballina Cenotaph
0 / 0
-
Description / Background

The Ballina Cenotaph is a monument consisting of three black granite arches positioned on a grey terrazzo plinth that is mounted on a tiled concrete base. The inscription is located at the bottom of the front arch and a low plinth at its base contains emblems. The memorial is located in the Ballina RSL Memorial Park opposite the Ballina RSL Club.

In 2015, the cenotaph was relocated within the Memorial Park on Grant Street. It was moved to a new position 30 metres west of the original location due to realignment of the boundaries of the Memorial Park. The move was supported by the Ballina Shire Council and the NSW Lands Department.

Since that date, two flagpoles have been installed flanking the monument, as well as a series of plinths positioned in a semi circle behind the monument. The plinths contain various plaques dedicated to those who have served in conflicts in which Australia has been involved. Three of the plaques are for the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation and the Vietnam War. Each plaque features three military emblems for the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force.

Inscription

Front arch

Lest We Forget

Front plinth

[Emblems]
In memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice.

Plaque 1

Ballina R.S.L. Sub Branch

R.S.L. Memorial unveiled on the 7th November, 1993 by Mr. G. E. (Rusty) Priest

The N.S.W. State President of the Returned and Serviced League of Australia

Plaque 2

This Flagpole replaces the original flagpole donated by the Richmond River War Widows Association on 7 No. 1993

Plaque 3

Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was declared on 18 June 1948 after three estate managers were murdered in Perak, northern Malay by guerrillas of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP), an outgrowth of the anti-Japanese guerrilla movement which had emerged during the Second World War. Lasting 13 years, the Malayan Emergency was the longest continuous military commitment in Australia's history. 7,000 Australians served in the Malayan Emergency from which 39 were killed and 20 were wounded.
Dedicated to all that served
We honour & remember their sacrifice
Lest we forget

Plaque 4

Indonesian Confrontation - 1962-1968
Between 1962 and 1966, Indonesia and Malaysia fought a small undeclared war which involved Australia, New Zealand and Britain. Australian units that fought during the confrontation did so as part of a large British and Commonwealth force under British command. 3,500 Australian Defence Force personnel from 3RAR and 4RAR, the Royal Australian Navy and several Royal Australian Air Force Squadrons served in the Indonesian Confrontation. 16 Australians were killed and 9 were wounded in this confrontation. 
Dedicated to all that served
We honour & remember their sacrifice
Lest we forget

Plaque 5

In Memory of the 60,000 men and women of the Australian defence force who served in the Vietnam War 1962-1975. We honour and remember their sacrifice especially the 521 who made the supreme sacrifice.

This monument was dedicated on the 18th August 2016 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in the presence of memories of the Ballina Sub-Branch

Veterans listed on this memorial

Do you know more about this war Memorial?

Click here to learn how you can contribute
Sidebar
Address
Ballina RSL Memorial Park
Grant Street
Ballina NSW 2478
Local Government Area
Ballina Shire
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Moved/altered
Memorial type
Monument
Recorded by
Ballina RSL sub-Branch. Graham Wilson.
Year of construction
1993
Dedication date
07 November 1993
Conflict/s
All conflicts