ABN: 21968433571 Branch President:

PRAHRAN RETURNED & SERVICES LEAGUE SUB BRANCH Inc. Mr. Rod Coote

301 High Street, Prahran 3181. Telephone: (03) 9510 3888 Branch Secretary:

Email: Mr. Noel Sanderson

Branch Treasurer:

Mr. Glen West

Pensions Officer

Mr. Geoff Waters J.P.

Councilors & Officers

City of Stonnington

PO Box 21

PRAHRAN VIC. 3181

RE:Submission for consideration of redevelopment of the City of Stonnington War Memorial currently located in Victoria Gardens as a project to commemorate 100 years of ANZAC Day.

Introduction

The current Stonnington War Memorialused on ANZAC Day by the residents of Prahran and surrounding community is located in Victoria Gardens, High Street, Prahran. Photographs 1 & 2 attached depict the memorials current location and condition.

The Prahran RSL has expressed a desire to see some improvements to this memorial to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings on ANZAC Day 2015.I have been authorised to act on behalf of the Prahran RSL to explore options that will enable this project to be completed to the satisfaction of all stake holders by ANZAC Day 2015.

We are seeking your advice and support in the development of this project for the benefit of the Stonnington Community.

Scope of Project

That the Prahran RSL and Stonnington Council

  1. Secure funding for restoration of the memorial from the Victorian Government ‘Restoring Community War Memorials Grants Program 2012-13’.
  2. Review the suitability and functionality of the current location and consider options.
  3. Consider options for the enhancement of the current memorial.
  4. Secure funding and complete works in time for commemoration of 100thanniversary of ANZAC Day.

Proposal

As a result of a telephone conversation between Councilor Sehr and myself in early January I met with Mr Geoff Ovens, Manager of Environment and Public Spaces, on Wednesday 16 January 2013 to discuss the possibility of redeveloping the existing memorial in Victoria Gardens. It was agreed at this meeting that I:

  1. Submit an application for funding from ‘Restoring Community War Memorials Grants Program 2012-13’ for the purpose of relocating the current memorial plinth and paving the area surrounding the relocated memorial plinth. This funding submission is required as a matter of priority as the end date for this funding round is 5 February 2013; and
  2. Provide an outline of our proposal in writing for consideration by Council.

As you can see from the attached pictures 1 & 2, the plinth is a small and simple memorial which to the best of my knowledge has been is use since shortly after the First World War.

Our proposal, which is subject to Council consideration and approval, is to secure funding to enable a memorial wall be established as a backdrop to the plinth.The plinth could be located within a paved area in front of this wall to enable a Cenotaph Party ceremony in conjunction with ANZAC and other memorial days. I have attached a number of photographs (3-7) which demonstrate how other memorials of this type have been constructed.

The wall envisaged by the RSL would be decorated with bronze plaques acknowledging all the conflicts and peace keeping/peace making deployments of Australian servicemen. The size and shape of this wall would be subject to the location chosen for the memorial. It is also envisaged that the statue of Bruce Kingsbury V.C. would be located within this area.

Submission

I therefore seek the opportunity to discuss this project with the Council of the City of Stonnington to obtain their views and gauge the level of support for the redevelopment of the Stonnington War Memorial in Prahran.

GEOFFREY WATERS J.P.

Pensions Officer

Prahran RSL Sub Branch

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