Goondiwindi WWI War Memorial (Digger)

About

The impressive World War I monument comprises a life-sized statue of an Australian soldier standing at ease on top of a tall polished granite column (red shaft and grey base and capital) rising from a trachyte pedestal, the latter material being more commonly used in NSW war memorials. The pedestal bears copious gilt inscriptions, including Australia's total enlistments and deaths in war, and the names of the 325 locals who served in the war, including the 54 fallen. A high stepped base adds to the monument's grandeur. Additional Information The Goondiwindi War Memorial erected in 1922, was originally sited in Herbert Street and had an iron fence surrounding the monument. The monument cost $1,800 and was unveiled in September 1922, by Sir Matthew Nathan, Governor of Queensland, who was in Goondiwindi to observe an eclipse of the sun. It is probable that a public committee was responsible for erecting the monument. The designer of the monument is unknown, however it is possible it was manufactured in New South Wales. The monument was re-sited in 1949, presumably to create a precinct and to compliment the World War 2 Memorial Gates that were constructed at this time. The cost of relocating the WWI Memorial and erecting the gates was in excess of $2,844. The gates were erected by the Goondiwindi War Memorial Committee, and were unveiled in April 1949 by Sir Thomas William Glasgow. At the completion of the ceremony the keys of the gates were handed to Alderman F Vetter, symbolic of the town accepting responsibility and custody of the memorial. The designer of the gates is also unknown. The Goondiwindi War Memorial and Memorial Gates are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register (Place ID: 600532).