Empire Bay War Memorial
Empire Bay Progress Association (EBPA) was awarded a Community War Memorials Fund (CWMF) grant in 2023 to support the conservation of the Empire Bay War Memorial, an elegant sandstone monument consisting of a capital, rectangular shaft, and a traditional three-step base.
The memorial was unveiled towards the end of 1947 near the Kendall Road Public Wharf. The project was coordinated by the Empire Bay Honour Roll Committee with assistance from the local council at the time who provided some funding and labour. The unveiling was witnessed by members of the community and local officials. The ceremonial duties were performed by Esther Davis who unveiled the monument, and the Reverend Cyril Francis of Christ Church in Gosford made the dedication. Gosford RSL sub-Branch President G.H. Dixon was also on hand to unveil a new flag to be flown from the new flagstaff.
Image: Empire Bay War Memorial, post-1945. Gwen Dundon photograph, courtesy Central Coast Library Service.
The memorial has remained an important commemorative place for the community, being the site of well-attended Anzac Day services. It stands proudly within a paved area bordered by a garden that includes low plinths with additional plaques and the flag is regularly raised and lowered by volunteers as a sign of remembrance.
Image: The memorial is an important site for Anzac Day commemorations.
A unique feature of this memorial is the inclusion of several types of lettering styles. The capital includes raised lettering for the wording ‘World War’; the base has the inscription ‘For King & Country’ cut into the stone; and the honour roll names for the First and Second World Wars are inscribed on two granite tablets that are attached to the shaft.
For over almost 80 years, the memorial has stood near the shore of the Brisbane Water channel and unfortunately nature has taken its toll. President of the EBPA Mr Ken Shaw noted:
“The Empire Bay memorial was unveiled in 1947 and takes pride of place in the bay close to the waterfront. Due to the waterfront location, it is exposed to a salt environment and occasionally due to abnormally high tides, the lower portion of the memorial is submerged under salt water. This environment led to the memorial requiring a significant restoration.”
While the memorial has been cared for during its life, including replacement of the capital in 2004 and repairs to the shaft in 2016, by 2023 the three-step base had deteriorated significantly. The EBPA approached local firm Capital Stonemasonry, who had worked on the memorial previously, for an assessment and quotation for repairs. Capital Stonemasonry identified extensive cracking and spalling and significant salt damage to the three steps and determined that it could no longer be repaired. They recommended the base be replaced with locally sourced stone, cut with a new inscription to match the existing words.
Capital Stonemasonry undertook the physical work in October to November 2023. The team faced the challenging task of separating the shaft from the base, to be able to remove the deteriorated steps and install the new sandstone blocks. Mr Shaw was pleased with the outcome of the project, saying:
“Key restoration activities included replacement of the base with the remainder of the memorial being professionally cleaned and preserved. The objectives of the restoration included remaining true to the original design and materials and restoration back to as close as possible original condition. The CWMF funding received enabled all this work to be undertaken in a professional and timely manner with the restoration being completed in time for our 2024 Anzac Day ceremony. On behalf of the Empire Bay Progress Association, our community, and veterans, we thank the NSW Government’s Community War Memorials Fund for their support and guidance. The memorial is now preserved for future generations as a fitting tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Lest we forget.”
The Community War Memorials Fund provides grants of up to $10,000 to support the repair, protection, and conservation of community war memorials across the state, including specialist heritage advice and physical work.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Project photos
Photos courtesy of the Empire Bay Progress Association.
Image: Before conservation – The memorial stands on a cracked and damaged base.
Image: During conservation – the team from Capital Stonemasonry move the memorial onto the new base
Image: After conservation – the new base with the matching inscription