BILOELA WAR MEMORIAL TO BE RESTORED

The Anzac Park Memorial at Biloela in Central Queensland will be refurbished, thanks to a subsidy from the Queensland Government’s Community Memorials Restoration Program.

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten has announced the Government will provide a dollar-for-dollar subsidy of $25,000 to the Biloela RSL Sub-Branch to restore, repair and upgrade the memorial and surrounds.

Mr Schwarten said the Anzac Park Memorial formed a focal point for local commemorative services.

“During the past three or four years, community numbers on Anzac Day, for example, have filled the park to overflowing,” he said.

“In many suburbs and towns around Queensland, the war memorial is a poignant reminder of the sacrifice so many have made,” Mr Schwarten said.

“Regional towns like Biloela often suffered greatly from the effect of wars, since any life lost was felt more keenly in small, close-knit communities.

“Maintaining these reminders of the extraordinary sacrifice of our servicemen and women in all areas of conflict is hugely important for future generations,” said Mr Schwarten.

The Memorial was removed from the side of the RSL building in the early 1970s and reinstated in the adjacent Anzac Park.

In the early eighties, an archway and path were constructed and five pine trees from Lone Pine, Gallipoli, were planted next to the path.

“We understand that regional councils and community organisations can face budgetary constraints in these projects.

“That’s why the Queensland Government is pleased to partner with the Biloela RSL to ensure their memorial is restored to its rightful condition,” he said.

The Community Memorials Restoration Program, now in its third year, has provided almost $1,157,300 in dollar-for-dollar subsidies to councils and community organisations to help restore historic monuments and other local icons around the State.

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