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South Gundurimba Public School Great War Roll of Honour

South Gundurimba Public School Great War Roll of Honour
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South Gundurimba Public School First World War Roll of Honour
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Description / Background

The South Gundurimba Public School Great War Roll of Honour is a stately polished timber board, which lists 35 former students who enlisted in the war. It has a dramatically pointed pediment at the top, with an urn in the centre and paintings of the Australian flag and the Union Jack. Below the flags is a gold banner scroll bearing the words 'Remember the AIF'. The names are listed on two panels, framed by carved columns on either side. Supporting shelves at the top and bottom of the board finish the piece. 

Following the war, a Welcome Hall Committee was formed. In 1919, it was decided to donate nine pounds from their funds to create an honour roll. The Northern Star, 25 November 1919 described a public meeting held on 21 November where Mr C.J. Flaherty, President of Gundurimba Shire, presided. The donation was accepted and Messrs Ball and Whitney presented reports on monuments following interviews with Lismore businesses. A committee was formed to consider names for the roll and it was decided to invite Miss Ellen McMahon, the first teacher at the school, to unveil it. 

The Northern Star, 18 December 1919, reported that the finished board was on display in the window of Palings in Lismore. The article noted that the board was made of rosewood, which was French polished and the names were lettered in gold. Chester L. Snow, a returned serviceman, built the board. 

The unveiling took place at the school on 19 December before some 200 people. The event was reported in detail in the Northern Star on 12 January 1920. The report listed the names on the roll and published the speeches made by the Reverend Mr Greville (Church of England at Coraki), Reverend A. Mackillop and Mr Snow.

The memorial was restored by craftsman Colin Fardo following an Anzac Centenary Grant and rededicated on 23 April 1916. A detailed account of the restoration was published in the Northern Star, 22 March 2016.

The South Gundurimba Public School opened in December 1874 and closed in December 1967. The roll is now located in the South Gundurimba Hall.

Inscription

Remember the AIF
1!914 1918 
The Great War 
Roll of Honour
South Gundurimba Public School Old Boys
[Names]
For King and Country

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
Lance Sergeant F Armstrong First World War, 1914–18 5327 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Corporal T Ball First World War, 1914–18 3366 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Sergeant GT Cooper First World War, 1914–18 1836 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private JL Dixon First World War, 1914–18 6068 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Private JO Dolphin First World War, 1914–18 5010 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Major GP Donovan First World War, 1914–18 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
Corporal E Donovan First World War, 1914–18 501 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view
R. Dorough First World War, 1914–18 view
E Fitness First World War, 1914–18 view
Private MJ Flaherty First World War, 1914–18 5019 Australian Army - First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) view

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Address
South Gundurimba Hall
159 Coraki Road
South Gundurimba NSW 2480
Local Government Area
Lismore, City of
Setting
Building – inside
Location status
Moved/altered
Memorial type
Board/roll/plaque/tablet
Recorded by
Graham Wilson
Year of construction
1919
Dedication date
19 December 1919
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Materials
Timber