A WAR SHRINE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1930, Page 7

A WAR SHRINE

VICTORIA’S MEMORIAL. / SYDNEY, September 11. Gradually V ictoria’s Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, one of the finest war memorials planned in x\ustialia, is taking shape. Although another two years will -elapse before it is completed, it is already a landmark in the city. It will tower another 30 feet into the air, and it is easy to visualise what a- dignified memorial it will be and what an inspiration of faith, honour, and brotherhood—the lessons it is intended to convey to the coming generations.

There are now 110 operatives at work on the erection of the Shrine which is to become the pride of Melbourne, a city already widely noted for its splendid civic spirit. The stone required is being drawn from various parts of the Commonwealth. For the twelve action panels that will depict the various units of the Australian Forces stone from the Hawkesbury river district, in New South Wales, will be used. The carving of the four allegorical groups of statuary for the buttresses—two for the east and two for the west side—is proceeding. The figures in these groups are of heroic size, say, one and a half fimes the proportion of living man. The total height of each group is 23 feet,

To secure, sculptors for the carving the war memorial commit’tee advertised throughout Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. The size of the work must have frightened stone carvers, for here was no response from Great Britain. Nor was there any from New Zealand or from any of the States of the Commonwealth outside Victoria. Everyone seemed afraid to tackle the job, and there were only six tenders and all of them from Melbourne. These groups are the largest groups in carved stone that have been attempted since the clays of Egypt. The first of the action panels is now in a semi-completed state. Jt> represents infantry in the trenches and is the first one to be carved of the Hawkesbury freestone. Some of the stones are two and three tons in weight. It- was the school children of Victoria who raised the money for this particular section. The first- of the twenty granite urns is now in position, and gives a suggestion of the decorative effect. In side the Shrine the 16 monoliths of polished, black marble are in position. Each weighs six tons.