Byron Bay War Memorial Gates and Memorial Park

About

These memorial gates create a formal entrance to the Byron Bay Recreation Grounds, originally dedicated as a memorial park. They consist of four brick columns, each bearing a black marble tablet inscribed with an honour roll. There are 19 names of those who fell from the First World War and 23 names from the Second World War. Three copper arches link the columns and bear the dedications. Iron gates provide access to the grounds. The gates have gone through two iterations: the first as a timber gateway and the second as the current brick structure. Below is an outline of the history of the gates, sourced from local newspapers from 1921 to 1953. First World War timber gateway Tweed Daily, 2 July 1921, reported Byron Shire Council agreed to change the name of the Recreation Ground to the Byron Bay Memorial Park on 25 June, at the suggestion of the Byron Bay Improvement Association. However, council would not agree to make the site larger. Tweed Daily, 7 July 1921 – On 4 July, the Association appointed two representatives to the Byron Bay Memorial Park Committee. They had also donated 100 pounds “to assist the returned soldiers in carrying out their scheme of improvements.” Northern Star, 8 December 1921, reported on works to date at the site. Fencing was underway, a tender for “erection of a grandstand and two dressing sheds and two conveniences,” was accepted and it was agreed to call for tenders for the gates once the architect, Mr G.R. Bryce, had prepared the drawings. Tweed Daily, 28 March 1922, gave an account of the progress of works on site and announced the laying of the foundation stone for the gates was postponed. Northern Star, 17 August 1922, reported Lord Forster, Lady Forster and their guests would arrive in Byron Bay on 2 September. Lord Forster would lay the foundation stone and attend sporting events during the day. Northern Star, 6 September 1922, published a detailed account of the ceremony to lay the stone, which was made of Melbourne blue stone. An honour guard met the Vice Regal party and Councillor J.W. Banner presided. Northern Star, 11 November 1922, published a photograph of the ‘Memorial Park Entrance Gateway’. It was constructed of “local materials and local workmanship,” by Walter McAndrew, a local returned soldier. The lintel was inscribed with the names of 19 servicemen who fell in the war. The lettering was done by Mr J.A. Stewart. Northern Star, 15 November 1922, reported on the opening ceremony for the gates, which was held at a sports carnival on 11 November (Armistice Day). The gates were opened by Mr W. Massey Greene M.H.R. (Minister for Defence) and the honour roll was unveiled by Mrs J.W. Banner, wife of the president of the Byron Shire Council. Second World War brick gates Northern Star, 7 August 1953, advertised that work would shortly commence on adding the names to the gates of those men who lost their lives in the Second World War. An appeal was made for relatives to submit names. Northern Star, 8 September 1953, reported that at a public meeting held early in September, it was decided the replace the gates as they were in disrepair. Donations were already being received but more funds were needed.