Mayor for the City of the Ryde, Clr Ivan Petch, will preside over the official rededication of the new Ryde Park Memorial Cenotaph this evening.
Relocated within Ryde Park on Blaxland Road, the new Cenotaph was designed in close consultation with the local RSL sub-branches and project artists Milne and Stonehouse. The project was funded jointly by the City of Ryde and the Beville Group (owners and developers of Top Ryde Shopping Centre).
Mayor for the City of Ryde, Clr Ivan Petch said: “This new Cenotaph is an eternal reminder of the sacrifices paid by the men and women who have served, and continue to service, our nation.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the RSL sub-branch members for the work and dedication shown in achieving this inspiring outcome. Their input and the final design captures the spirit of the past using today’s technology, thus ensuring that its impact and significance remains relevant to future generations.
“I would also like to commend the Beville Group on the generous contribution of funds towards both the cost of this splendid new Cenotaph, and the $6m upgrade of Ryde Park its new home, through a Voluntary Planning Agreement with Council.”
The Beville Group contributed $250,000 to the upgrading of Ryde Park and an additional $130,000 for the relocation of the Cenotaph.
Mitchell Corn, of the Beville Group, said the company was proud to contribute and to be involved in the relocation of such a significant piece of history.
“This is another example of how well the City of Ryde and the Beville Group work together to benefit the greater community,” Mr Corn said.
The rededication ceremony includes readings by Reverend Greg Burke from St. Anne’s Ryde Anglican Church and Father Paul Monkerud from St. Charles Borromeo Parish Ryde. The ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille” will be played live by 16-year old high school student Andrew Tickle. The National Anthem will be sung by Roseanne Gallo
The new Cenotaph cradles a central obelisk in granite, pointing towards eleven o’clock. A permanent shadow in the granite paving engraves the history of service by men and women stretching the imprint of the obelisk to the insignia wall. Within the body of the obelisk a light sources evokes the eternal flame.
Memorial Cenotaph Rededication Ceremony Details:
Date/Time: Wednesday, 20 February 2008. 7.30 pm
Location: Ryde Park on Blaxland Road, Ryde.
Attending: Presidents of local RSLs, RSL Sub Branches & Members, State & Federal Members of Parliament, the Beville Group, City of Ryde Mayor, Councillors and Staff
Ends
Media Contacts:
City of Ryde - Lee Kirkland, Media Officer T 9952 8083 M 0434306444
The Beville Group – Louise Di Francesco, VERVE (0418) 617 869
Background Information
The idea for the original Ryde cenotaph was born in 1966 when RSL Sub Branch members and local Aldermen came together and identified the need for a memorial to perpetuate the memory of Australian Soldiers that have participated in various theatres of war.
Located a short distance from the Civic Centre, the cenotaph was officially dedicated on the 16 April 1967. Made from granite and set on a stepped granite dais, it carried the insignia of the three armed services together with the words ‘LEST WE FORGET’. The central feature being an eternal flame set in a bronze bowl.
Construction works in the civic precinct in 2007 necessitated finding a new position, and with cooperation from local RSL sub branches a new cenotaph was designed and a space created in Ryde Park for its location.
The new cenotaph cradles a central obelisk in granite pointing towards eleven o’clock. A permanent shadow in the granite paving engraves the history of service by men and women stretching the imprint of the obelisk to the insignia wall. Within the body of the obelisk a light source evokes the eternal flame. This memorial as a formal threshold to Ryde Park is energised both by ceremony and the everyday circulation of people within its sacred space.
Added to the original three armed services insignia is the Merchant Navy emblem.
Granite portions from the original cenotaph have been incorporated as symbolic references.
Ryde Park Memorial Cenotaph was rededicated on 20 February 2008 by Reverend Greg Burke from St Anne's Ryde Anglican Church and Father Paul Monkerud from St Charles Borromeo Parish Ryde, and opened by Councillor Ivan Petch, Mayor City of Ryde.
Project Partners: North Ryde, Ryde, Gladesville and Eastwood RSL Sub Branches.
Project Funding: City of Ryde and the Beville Group
Project Artists: Milne and Stonehouse
