Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club Second World War Honour Roll

About

This timber honour roll was created in honour of members of the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club, who served in the Second World War. The pediment is edged with decorative timber mouldings and there is a carved column on both sides of the board. The words 'Lest we forget' are painted in gold on a blue and red ribbon banner positioned within the pediment. The roll contains 17 names of those who were killed in conflict overseas or in accidents in Australia. They are printed in gold, across two columns, in the centre of the board. Below the list is a painting of a green foliage garland, with a blue bow in the middle. This feature is reminiscent of a laurel wreath, a traditional inclusion on war memorials.  In addition to the dedication to the veterans, the roll includes three lines of prose borrowed from the poem The Soldier by English poet Rupert Brooke, published during the First World War. His original wording is below. On the honour roll, England is replaced with Ballina.  If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. The Ballina community has a proud surf club history, as shown by the construction of several clubhouses over many decades. The South Ballina Club operated for 30 years, starting in 1908. After the construction of breakwalls, the Ballina Surf Club was formed in 1933, and its clubhouse was opened on 17 December. Lismore joined the club in 1934, and on 17 October, its official name became Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Life Saving Club. In November 1961, the third clubhouse was opened and dedicated as a memorial to club members who died in the Second World War. In 2005, it was demolished and the honour roll was lent to the Ballina RSL Club for safe keeping in their Combined Services Museum. On 27 July 2013, the official opening of the new clubhouse at Lighthouse Beach was held; however, the roll remains at the RSL museum. It is available to view during the opening hours of the museum and club.

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