Memorial Lane, Gympie, Australia. Commemorating Australian Military History

[Private_collector]

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There are a total of 8 murals, each as intricate and detailed.

In the third photo above, you can easily see recreation of a famous scene, showing the soldiers treading along the 'duck-boards' with their reflection in the stagnant water towards foreground.

Wait until you see some of these in closer detail!!!!

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[Private_collector]

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The detail in these works of art is absolutely breathtaking.

I have stood in front of one or another many times, and each time I have discovered something which I had not seen before.

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[Private_collector]

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Remember! Each individual piece has been crafted and painted by hand.

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[Private_collector]

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In these two photos you will note there are a great number of crosses to the fallen. Each cross represents a Gympie local serviceman or servicewoman, and their names are on the cross itself. These can be read without problem when viewing in person. Brigadier Outridge also featured in the first photo. Can you spot him? I can, now that his daughter, the creator of the murals, had told me where to look.
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Maybe this third photo may help. He actually appears in two seperate murals, and both locations he is in civilian attire (at his request). I have been told Mrs Outridge is represented too, she was an Army Nurse. I did not have the opportunity to know her personally, as she passed away some years before I met Mr Outridge.

Well, that's just about it, but there is one more very important thing to show before I sign off.
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The most recent addition to Memorial Lane was the allocation of an area for a wall of remembrence to deceased service personnel. This is where the family of the deceased can have a specially made 'paver' added to the wall, with the service persons name, branch of service, date of birth & date of death. Unfortunately more names are added each year. They are only added and unveiled on the two significant days of the year, ANZAC Day and Remembrence Day. My own father is remembered in this wall, as is a growing number of people I have known and come to consider my friends. It saddens me greatly to see my old mates, one by one, turning from a living piece of history into a plaque acknowledging their demise.

As you can see, In Gympie we know the meaning of......

LEST WE FORGET

ende.

[cliff]

fantastic Tony. This area of Gympie holds a special meaning for me and I don't quite know why as I am an import to the area rather then born and bred here.

[Private_collector]

Cliff,

I think I know what you mean.

I am, as you say, an "Import" too.................maybe not as imported as you, but an import much the same. And considerably more recent an import than yourself, but not from as far away.

Despite that, it certainly does seem to have a warmth that appeals to all who visit. I can't explain it really. It's welcoming to all, while specifically remembering local people. Perhaps it's the effort involved in the project, the humbling of the viewer, that brings out those feelings, anyway it's just remarkable workmanship and detail.

The first time I saw Memorial Lane, it gave me a lump in the throat that no surgeon could remove! No matter how many times I visit, that feeling remains.