Swansea Rising Sun Memorial

Sculpture:

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

IInterpretative plaque:

This Rising Sun memorial was constructed for Anzac Day 2015 to commemorate 100 years since World War I and the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli.

A similar memorial is located at Onslow, Western Australia. Both are constructed so that the sun rises directly through the middle of the monument on Anzac Day, first in Swansea and then two hours later in Onslow.

Funding was provided under the Australian Government's Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program. Additional funds were provided by the NSW State Government, Swansea RSL Club, Swansea RSL Sub-Branch, Catherine Hill Bay RSL Sub Branch, the Maritime Union of Australian, the Australian Maritime Officers Union, Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, and public donations from the Swansea area.

The First World War took the lives of more than 60,000 Australians and seriously wounded more than 200,000. This was at a time when the population of Australia was only around five million, thus having a disastrous effect on almost every family in the land. 

Dedication plaque:

This monument was dedicated by the Reverend Clive Gerard, Father Gerard Mackie and Major Colin Robinson of the Salvation Army. It was opened, on 25 April 2015, by the Federal Minister for Veterans Affairs, and Councilor Jason Pauling representing the NSW Minister for Veteran Affairs. 

Monument Designer/Manufacturer: Charles & Joan Smith, Aisling Studios, Gidgegannup, WA.

Swansea RSL Sub Branch executives: President, Bill Duffy; Secretary, Barney Blundell; Treasurer, Greg John.