Previous find of the month - 4/2013


Previous find of the month

April 2013

Saluting Those Who Served

Telopea Park War Memorial


At the end of the Second World War, communities around Australia made plans to commemorate the fallen. In 1946 the Parents’ and Citizens’ Association of Telopea Park School proposed the erection of a Memorial Flagpole “To commemorate the services of those students of this school who served in the Second World War 1939-1945”. The file documenting the proposal is ArchivesACT’s “Find of the Month” for April.

Opening in 1923, Telopea Park School in Barton is the oldest school still in operation in Canberra. By the start of the Second World War, many of its former students were old enough to enlist and serve with the Australian armed forces overseas.

Grand plans

File 'PC21/5/2 - Flagpole - Telopea Park School' includes a note from Department of Works and Housing architect D.G. McCalman, who outlines a proposal for an impressive granite and bronze structure. It is accompanied by his beautiful drawings and plans of the anticipated monument.

Letter from D.G. McCalman to National Capital Planning & Development Committee 8th July 1948

Transcript:

Department of Works & Housing
Canberra  ACT
8.7.48

The Executive Chamber,
National Capital Town Planning & Development Committee

The Parents & Citizens Association of Telopea Park School desire to erect a War Memorial in the form of a flag-pole as shown on the attached drawings nos 17551 & 17552.

It is intended that the base be in stone on a granite platform, & that part of the structure holding the mast be in cast bronze.  The collection of funds has now reached an advanced stage.

The design is submitted for your consideration, particularly in respect of the treatment of the lawns.

I am acting in honorary capacity for the Committee.

Yours faithfully
D.G. McCalman

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Plan 17551 for Telopea Park War Memorial Flagpole
Click on image for larger view

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Plan 17552 for Telopea Park War Memorial Flagpole
Click on image for larger view  

These plans show the memorial was to have positioned on the assembly lawn at the rear of the main building. The National Capital Planning and Development Committee discussed and approved the proposal at their next meeting. They did suggest that the assembly lawn may not be ideal, due the proposed assembly hall to be constructed next to the lawn.

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Excerpt from National Capital Planning & Development Committee Minutes - 69th Meeting 9th July 1948

Letter - Response from National Capital Planning & Development Committee to D.G. McCalman 25th August 1948 

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Modest realities

The file closes with no follow-up documents to reveal the final arrangements. Articles in the Canberra Times document the eventual construction of a slightly less ornate memorial on the lawns in front of the main school building. This was officially unveiled by the President of the ACT Branch of the RSL, H.K. Joyce, on 11th September 1953 to coincide with the school’s 30th Anniversary. (1)

Telopea Park School War Memorial Flagpole 12th December 2010Telopea Park School War Memorial Flagpole Plaque 12th December 2010 

A PDF version of the file 'PC21/5/2 - Flagpole - Telopea Park School' can be download here: (PDF Icon PDF 1.02Mb)

Bibliography:

  1. Memorial Unveiled At Telopea Park School. (1953, September 12). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 5.

Links to external sites:

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