Community war memorials are a centrepiece of commemorative activities held across the state on Anzac Day and other days of remembrance as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of generations of Australians. It’s vital that we remember and preserve this important part of our nation’s history and I am pleased to be able to support the restoration of the Penneshaw War Memorial.
The Honourable Geoff Brock MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister for Local Government and Regional Roads
Leon Bignell
Member for Mawson
The South Australian Government will contribute $10,000 towards the restoration of Kangaroo Island’s historic Penneshaw War Memorial.
The funding will be provided to the Penneshaw Progress Association to undertake work to restore the Penneshaw War Memorial which has held pride of place on North Terrace, Penneshaw for more than 100 years.
The memorial immortalises 17 local men who made the ultimate sacrifice in both WW1 and WW2. It is a permanent reminder of the impact of these wars on the Kangaroo Island community.
Erected in 1921 following the end of WW1, the granite obelisk memorial has deteriorated with age with etching largely illegible, and restoration works are set to provide longevity and durability for decades to come.
The works include the installation of new bronze plaques memorialising the names of all local men who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2, as well as new fencing, paving, and landscaping to complete the area.
The restoration of the War Memorial follows the completion of recent work by the Penneshaw Progress Associations to restore the WW1 and WW2 honour boards housed in the Penneshaw Hall.
Quotes attributable to the Honourable Geoff Brock MP
Community war memorials are a centrepiece of commemorative activities held across the state on Anzac Day and other days of remembrance as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of generations of Australians.
It’s vital that we remember and preserve this important part of our nation’s history and I am pleased to be able to support the restoration of the Penneshaw War Memorial.
This work will ensure family members, the local community and future generations have a place to gather and honour the service and sacrifice of those who have served, including their own.
Quotes attributable to Leon Bignell
The war memorial takes pride of place on the Penneshaw seafront and is a focal point for locals and tourists alike.
People love reading the names on memorials and without this state government funding that wouldn’t be possible in future.
Thanks to Jayne Bates for raising the issue with me. Minister Brock was very keen to help and I’m sure the $10,000 he has provided will help keep the memories of service people alive for generations to come.
Quotes attributable to Jayne Bates, Penneshaw Progress Association
Our memorial has stood in the elements for over 100 years now, and this assistance will ensure the names of the 17 men who sacrificed all in WW1 and WW2 and the wording of the epitaph will remain readable for another 100 years.
As in many small regional communities, most of these men still have many family members residing in the district, who will be heartened that this funding will add to the longevity of their memory.
The Penneshaw Progress Association would like to sincerely thank our local member Leon Bignell for his advocacy and guidance and Minister Brock for his generous support to enable this important restoration to proceed.
