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Caringbah War Memorial

Caringbah War Memorial
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Caringbah War Memorial and surroundings
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Caringbah War Memorial, close-up of detail on pillar
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Caringbah War Memorial, close-up of plaque on pillar
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Caringbah War Memorial, close-up of inscription on wall
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Description / Background

Caringbah War Memorial consists of a sandstone monument in front of a curved sandstone wall, set within a garden. It bears the words ‘Lest we forget’ and is used each Anzac Day as a commemorative site. A plaque was placed in 2015 to remember 100 years since Gallipoli.

The memorial site was never intended to be a commemorative place. It was only dedicated in 2015 when it was officially opened by Mr Steve Simpsons, Mayor of Sutherland Shire and Mrs Shirley Smith, President of the Caringbah RSL Sub-Branch.

The wall was originally a drinking fountain donated by Mrs Amy Mackay, a longtime resident of Sutherland Shire, to showcase her appreciation for the people of the area. It was received on 13 July 1935 by Shire President, Councilor Edward Seymour Shaw, on behalf of the citizens of the shire. The head constructor of the project was Mr T. Connor and the main designer and supervisor was Mr Thomas D. Esplin. 

The fountain, as records tell us, was quite elaborate:

The fountain provides separate drinking facilities for humans, horses, dogs, and birds, while a step has been built to enable small children to reach the bubblers. Materials used were variegated local sandstone, mostly rock-faced, for the flagging, fountain, and seats, while the bowls and horse-troughs were cast in concrete, using pink marble chips for the aggregate. The cement skin was brushed off before it had set, leaving the marble exposed. The resulting rough surface harmonizes very well in colour and texture with the natural stone. A sundial and bronze lighting standard, with a fourteen-inch diameter opal ball, are also included in the structure. Near the base is a tablet inscribed, "Come Ye to the Waters".

In 1972, it was modified to a more simplified shape and relocated to the small park at the corner of Port Hacking Road and Kingsway. The fountain Amy Mackay donated over 80 years ago still stands.

Inscription

Pillar - plaque 1

Lest we forget

Pillar - plaque 2

CARINGBAH WAR MEMORIAL

100 years from Gallipoli

With grateful remembrance of all who fell or served for Australia. 

When you go home tell them of us and say for their tomorrow we gave our today. John Maxwell Edmonds. 2015.

Mrs Shirley Smith President Caringbah RSL Sub-Branch. Mr Steve Simpson Mayor Sutherland Shire Council.

Wall - tablet

Presented to the Sutherland Shire by Amy. I. McKay. 1935. "Come ye to the waters". [Isaiah. 55. 1].

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Sidebar
Address
Cnr Port Hacking Road and Kingsway
Caringbah NSW 2229
Local Government Area
Sutherland Shire
Setting
Roadside
Memorial type
Column/pillar
Recorded by
Luiza Knijnik. Ms Donna Henderson, Sutherland Shire Council.
Year of construction
1935
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
All conflicts
Materials
Sandstone