Heritage protection for Fremantle's historic war memorial

30/5/01
The State Government has moved to protect one of Western Australia's most significant war memorials.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said Monument Hill and War Memorial in Fremantle had been listed on the State's interim register of heritage places.
Dr Edwards said Monument Hill and War Memorial, along with Kings Park and Fort Clarence in Albany, was one of the three most impressive monumental war memorials in the State.
She said the place was one of the most significant landmarks in Fremantle and a popular tourist attraction, highly valued by local residents and ex-servicemen and women.
"The War Memorial is considered sacred by many members of various ex-service organisations," Dr Edwards said.
"Since the erection of the Fallen Sailors' and Soldiers' Memorial in 1929, it has become the site for a number of memorials commemorating other wars.
"The State Government has responded to the ongoing debate about the protection of the War Memorial by placing the site on the Heritage Council's interim register of heritage places.
"This will ensure the long-term protection of the area for the enjoyment of generations of Western Australians."
Dr Edwards said Monument Hill had been a popular recreation area in Fremantle since the 19th Century.
She said an obelisk was erected on the hill in 1874 as a navigational aid for shipping. Originally known as Obelisk Hill, by 1897 it was referred to as Monument Hill and by 1904 it had been vested as a park.
In 1921, the Fallen Sailor's and Soldiers' Committee approached the Fremantle Council with plans to establish a memorial to commemorate members of the local community who had died in World War One.
After a long struggle to raise sufficient funds, the memorial - featuring a 14m high sandstone pillar - was unveiled on Armistice Day 1928 by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Robert MacMillan.
"Since then, Monument Hill has become the focus of local Anzac Day services and the site for a number of other memorials commemorating Australian and Allied servicemen and women who lost their lives in the World Wars, Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam," Dr Edwards said.
"These other memorials include the Royal Australian Navy Corvettes Memorial, the Royal Navy Memorial, the United States Navy Submarine Memorial, the Merchant Mariners' Memorial, the Royal Marines' Memorial and the Royal Netherlands Navy Memorial.
"As a result, Monument Hill is held sacred by a large number of servicemen and women."
Media contact: John Carey 9421 7777