New memorial in the Domain

The memorial will be constructed at the Domain in Sydney. It will offer a contemplative space for veterans, their families and the broader community to acknowledge contemporary service for all who served from 1990 to the present day – in Rwanda, East Timor, the Middle East Area of Operations, including Iraq and our twenty year involvement in Afghanistan. It will be inclusive of all personnel who have served, including those who did not serve overseas, as well as the families that have supported service.

On 14 April 2025, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Veterans David Harris unveiled the Memorial's design, prepared by award-winning architect Billy Maynard. The design takes the form of a circle formed with two crescents, symbolising gathering, protection and unbreakable bonds. Read the media release »

The new war memorial is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.

“This memorial has been imagined as a place for collective and individual healing. It fosters remembrance and reflection through simplicity of form combined with finely resolved and caringly crafted detail. The design, a circle of flat recalibrated ground … a place of stability, respite, rest ... an act of rebalancing and reconciling amongst life’s pitching and rolling.”
— Billy Maynard, architect

Hear about the inspiration behind the design from the memorial's architect Billy Maynard in this interview with Hamish Macdonald on ABC Radio Sydney.

Billy-Mainard-interview-with-Hamish-Macdonald.mp3

View images from the launch below. You can see the full gallery of images from the launch here.

 

 

Memorial design

Below are the architect's visualisations of the new memorial and examples of its design features.

 

 

Video: Designing the memorial

Frequently asked questions

 

Why is the NSW Government building a new memorial?

The Memorial is a vital step in recognising the contributions and sacrifices of contemporary veterans, and ensuring their legacy is honoured for generations to come. The NSW Government undertook extensive consultation to ensure a new memorial meets the expectations of the veteran community. This process highlighted the community’s recognition of the need for this memorial as a powerful reminder of the respect and gratitude we owe to our contemporary veterans.

Who will the Memorial be dedicated to?

The Memorial will acknowledge contemporary service for all who served from 1990 to the present day – in Rwanda, East Timor, the Middle East Area of Operations, including Iraq and our twenty year involvement in Afghanistan, as well as their families.

It will be inclusive of all personnel who have served, including those who did not serve overseas, as well as the families that have supported service. Recognition will not be tied to specific dates, areas of conflict or operations.

Will commemorative services be held at the Memorial?

The Memorial is not required to accommodate formal commemorative events. Annual events relating to the Middle East and other contemporary campaigns will continue to be held at one of our state sites of commemoration including the Cenotaph in Martin Place, or the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.

Who has been selected as the designer for the Memorial?

The design submitted by Billy Maynard Architects was successful following a limited design competition. Billy Maynard Architects is an award-winning Sydney-based architecture studio with a growing body of work and international recognition. The studio primarily focuses on housing design but also engages in research, lecturing and writing. The Memorial will be Billy Maynard’s first public commission.

The design team also includes Sue Barnsley and Khadim Ali. Sue Barnsley leads a practice specialising in private gardens, parks, urban ecological restoration and infrastructure projects, including works in The Domain. Khadim Ali is an artist who currently lives and works in Sydney, Australia and Kabul, Afghanistan. His work is held in numerous public collections including the Guggenheim Museum (New York), Victoria and Albert Museum (London), British Museum (London), the National Gallery of Australia, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

What process was undertaken for awarding the design brief?

Six architectural firms were shortlisted to participate, with submissions closing on 22 November 2024. Design proposals were reviewed by a Selection Committee chaired by the Government Architect, Abbie Galvin. The Panel also included: Caroline Mackaness (Director, NSW Office for Veterans Affairs and Hon. Secretary, Anzac Memorial); Michael Ducie (CEO, Legacy Club Services and Veteran); Richard Johnson LFAIA AO MBE (Architect of The Centenary Project, City of Sydney Design Advisory Panel Member); Bianca Pineda (Landscape Architect, Associate Director for ASPECT Studios); and John Choi (Architect, Partner, CHOFRI).

How has the veteran community been consulted throughout the process, including design and construction going forward?

In June 2023, the NSW Government commenced consultation with contemporary veterans and their families to seek feedback on how their service can be further acknowledged. The proposal for a dedicated new memorial to acknowledge contemporary veterans’ military service was an outcome of this consultation.

As part of the design process, a Project Steering Group was formed to guide the Memorial’s development. The Steering Group includes representatives from RSL NSW, Legacy Club Services, and Families of Veterans Guild.

A Consultation Group was also established to represent the veteran and veteran family voice in the development of the Memorial. The Consultation Group includes contemporary service veterans from across the Australian Defence Force, veterans who served in peacekeeping missions, and veteran families.

What other consultation has occurred?

During the concept design process, the Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commemoration Committee and Indigenous veterans from the Navy, Army and Air Force were consulted, as well as the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the City of Sydney.

How much is budgeted for the Memorial’s construction?

The total construction cost will be $1.4 million.

When will the Memorial’s construction be completed?

Construction is scheduled for completion in the final quarter of 2026.

What plans are in place to ensure the Memorial is protected from vandalism?

The risk of graffiti and damage will be considered during planning, especially given The Domain is open to the public 24 hours/day and it is not possible to restrict access to the proposed location. A requirement of the design brief is that the Memorial incorporate plans for CCTV coverage.