Busselton War Memorial

Author

City of Busselton

Place Number

13481

Location

Lot 229 Peel Tce Busselton

Location Details

Local Government

Busselton

Region

South West

Construction Date

Constructed from 1919, Constructed from 1920

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List YES 16 Oct 2024

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
RHP - Does not warrant assessment Current 28 Feb 2020

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 13 Sep 2006 Category 4
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 16 Oct 2024 Category 1
Statewide War Memorial Survey Completed 01 May 1996

Statement of Significance

• The memorial has historic value for its association with the service men and women who served in conflicts outside of Australia and the sacrifices they made. • It also has historic value for the demonstration of the efforts of fundraising made by local communities to recognise those who served. • The place is also associated with prominent and skilled sculptor Pietro Porcelli who was the artist who designed the elements of this memorial. • The memorial has social value to the Busselton community as the venue for many services and events which have been attended by wide sections of the community since 1920 and therefor contributes to thecommunity sense of place.

Physical Description

A bronze, limestone statue on a stone platform inscribed with words ‘Honour the Brave ‘and ‘The Heroic Dead’. The memorial measures 600 by 1500 mm and has 4 sides to it. It sits at the end of a formally landscaped brick paved path surrounded by landscaped gardens of grass and mature trees.

History

The War Memorial was originally erected to commemorate those from the Busselton and Sussex Roads Board District who served in World War I. It now commemorates those who served and those who fought during World War I, World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War. The memorial was unveiled by General Sir Birdwood on 6 January 1920. The sculptor was well known artist Pietro Porcelli.Its construction in the years following World War I was a common practice throughout Australia and were often funded by local communities and the forerunner organisations of the Returned Services Leagues of WA. The memorial has been the venue for regular memorial services, the most well attended being ANZAC Day services. The construction of the new memorial in Rotary Park in 2024 will mean there will be less services at this site but it will continue to be a place of memorial and reflection. Since its construction, local researchers have found that some names were ommitted from the list of servicemen and women. These ommissions will be rectified at the new memorial.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Degree/High Degree Integrity Notes: The place retains a high degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: The place retains a high degree of authenticity.

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Souvenir Programme of the Unveiling of Busselton Soldiers. January 1920
Department of the Premier and Cabinet website at; http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/43108/20040708/www.anzac.dpc.wa.gov.au/index4b09.html?fuseaction=memorial_ register.memorial-item&mem=142

Other Reference Numbers

Ref Number Description
PN156 COB

Place Type

Historic site

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use MONUMENT\CEMETERY Monument
Present Use MONUMENT\CEMETERY Monument

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Other STONE Donnybrook Sandstone
Other METAL Bronze
Other STONE Limestone

Historic Themes

General Specific
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES World Wars & other wars

Creation Date

30 Apr 1999

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

08 May 2025

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.