Cudgen War Memorial

About

Located at Cudgen Public School, this war memorial contains several elements. The focal point is the monument, consisting of three brick columns, which support a triangular roof. A laurel wreath plaque is attached to the front face of the roof. The roof covers a low plinth with a plaque attached. Behind the monument are two walls bearing plaques, including two marble honoUr rolls listing men from Cudgen and district who enlisted in the Great War. Those who lost their lives have a cross to the left of their name. These plaques were originally unveiled at the school on 24 May 1921.  The monument was built in 1990. The bricks used for it and the walls came from the first Cudgen School building on the site, built in 1890. This building was demolished in 1982. The bricks were kept specifically for the memorial and it was built entirely by volunteers. Outside the school, planted along Collier Street, is the Cudgen First World War Memorial Avenue.  This memorial was not the first for the Great War unveiled in the area. The unveiling of the Cudgen Honor Board was to take place at the Cudgen Hall on 5 February 1917 and the occasion was to be used as a recruitment effort for the war, by establishing a branch of the Win-the-War League. Following delays, the Tweed Daily, 2 April 1917 described the unveiling ceremony held on 29 March. The local children performed a number of musical items and Mrs Loder (wife of the President of the local Recruiting Committee) unveiled the memorial. The honour board was made of stained wood and shaped like a shield. It was donated by Mr Loder and the artwork was done by Miss Kelleher of Duranbah. The 29 names were written in black shaded with gold. This honour board appears to have been lost.

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