Category: News

84 names from the district Nominal Roll have been forwarded on to the engraver for inclusion on four black granite plaques measuring (h) 1150 x (w) 900.  Other associated information including the  “ODE” will be included. All engraving will appear hi-lighted in silver.

The committee was most fortunate in securing local granite (blue/black metal) which will allow the Memorial [plaques] to be constructed 100% Australian made as opposed to the original quote using o/seas granite.  The move to localize the components incurred an increase of approx 30%

The local granite when highly polished appears black with small silver/gray flakes throughout.

 

Commencement of stage two (April 2013) with the placing of the plinth.    The plinth facing was designed to compliment the districts convict heritage with local stonemason Paul McKinley giving it a “Convict picked & margined” makeover, the centre cavity was then filled with concrete to avoid a possible ‘blowout’ when the 2.5 cubes of concrete are poured to form the centre column.

A 12m. flagpole was later raised with the help of locals.  During May, a callistemon  “Scarlet Flame” garden  to compliment the Memorial walkway was completed.  Pictorial update, see “Credits”

On this day work commenced on Stage one consisting all ground works up to and including the centrepiece step.

The site required extensive ground preparation including the removal and disposal of approx. 150.m2. of existing turf.

The area required 200 tonnes of V.E.N.M. (virgin excavated natural material) continually rolled and compressed to a height of 800mm forming a gradual slope to natural ground.

9m3. of sandstone coloured concrete was required to form the centrepiece step plus a 1.5m. wide surrounding pathway with wheel chair access to Old Northern Road public footpath.

30 tonnes of imported natural soil to a depth of 100mm was required to cover the remaining V.E.N.M.

The soil was covered with 200.m2. of native couch.

FOR PICTORIAL PROGRESS VIEWERS SHOULD VISIT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS/CREDITS

The construction of the districts first public ANZAC Memorial on Wisemans Ferry reserve has recently met Council approval with works expected to be carried out in two stages over a period of three years.
Stage one, incorporating all ground preparation including concrete work (the slab) up to the height of the adjacent public footpath is expected to commence after the current financial year.

On November 2011, the Committee was asked to submit a Review of Environmental Factors (REF).

On the 29^th February 2012, the Committee was informed by Council that the REF was approved for viewing and would go on public exhibition for community feedback.

The closing date for this is 13^th. April 2012 after which all feedback will be reviewed.

29th. Nov.2011 the committee received notification from Hornsby Council including input from Julia Morton (Park Asset Officer), David De-Fina (Landscape Architect) and Garry Mahony (Senior Town Planner).

The proposal in general being accepted with the Memorial location being restored to the original January 2011 site but does not adversely reflect on the finished design of the Memorial, the committee was required to submit a “Review of Environmental Factors” but no D.A. was required.

The committee received the survey (from Hornsby Council) of the reserve including the area of interest for construction of the Memorial.

This move has allowed the committee to draw up a design for submission.
The preferred site chosen by the council is to be approx. 6m in from the footpath and along the north fence line of the bowling club with an agreed buffer zone between the B.C. fence and the Memorial, this location will avoid encroachment onto the footpath and roadway (River Rd.) by ANZAC Day and other function supporters.

Following the update of sketches outlining the design, a meeting was held with Ms. Morton from Hornsby council on 22nd. Sept. 2011.

Ms. Morton looked favourably towards the plans and a decision is anticipated in the near future.

Following the assoc. initial contact with Hornsby Council for the acquisition of public land, the council responded on the 19th. January 2011 agreeing in principle of the raising of a suitable Memorial however certain issues had to be addressed before approval, such as: Community Support, Design Concept and Funding, apart from other minor issues. The Assoc. was advised that Council does not have funding available for such a development, therefore alternative funding will have to be identified and secured.
The committee was required to provide a 16 page submission to assist council in specific areas of compliance.

On April 6th. 2011. Ms. Julia Morton (Parks & Gardens) carried out a site inspection of the preferred site chosen by the committee being in the corner of the Reserve adjacent to the Bowling Club and River Road.

Council have put forward their preferred design in opposition to the committee’s design of a bronze ANZAC sculpture above the centrepiece, Council would prefer a smaller low key design similar to the plinth and “column” or “obelisk” design (or the like), in sandstone, to compliment the districts heritage forged on convict labour. Council is unmoving on this issue.
General discussions have taken place regarding direction the Memorial will face, wheel chair access and garden design, etc.