Mackellar Care Services to begin work on a War Memorial Garden | Video

An Anzac Community Grant of $2000 will go towards the garden which will face onto Marquis Street.

A main feature of the garden will be a 300kg 3D commemorative statue featuring a digger playing a bugle, with the words, ‘Lest we forget’, cut out of the metalwork.

A number of remembrance plants will be established in the garden, including ‘Anzac’ bottlebrush, Gallipoli rosemary, poppies and roses. 

Roses have been named by residents and Winanga-li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre. Seating, a flagpole, and a plaque bearing The Ode, will also be installed.

The garden will be bordered by an existing path, which will be named, “Remembrance Walk”. 

The path runs over “The Ernie Barnes Bridge” which acknowledges the life of the late Ernie Barnes, a war veteran from Breeza.

Ms Hatch said it was hoped that in the future remembrance plants would line the path and fill the flower boxes near existing seating.

Mackellar Care’s Casey Hatch said the garden would provide a place for memorial services and reflection.

“This will be a place residents can just go and quietly sit and remember, and we’re looking at having services here in future and individual schools to be part of it,” she said.

Ms Hatch said the centre was very thankful to Friends of Alkira for its financial contribution towards the garden.

The War Memorial Garden will be officially opened at 11am on D-Day, June 6, by Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson. 

"Recognising those who have served is important for communities, which is why it's great to have an accessible memorial for residents of Mackellar Care," Mr Anderson said.

"I want to ensure that we keep the memory of our service men and women alive and strong in the minds of our community."

The event will be open to the public but attendees are asked to RSVP by Wednesday, May 31 by phoning Mackellar Care Services on 6742 9100.

Related story: Alkira’s Anzac Tribute | Photos & Videos