2020 marks 75 years since the end of the Second World War. To commemorate this important year, the NSW Government interviewed WWII veterans about their experiences. Read our 75th Anniversary Stories.
The Moree and District War Memorial Education Centre is a dedicated war memorial, governed by the Moree and District War Memorial Education Centre Act, Act No. 15, established in 1962. The centre now houses the Moree branch of the Northern Regional Library, within which is a designated alcove with several memorials.
A focal point of the alcove is a polished timber panel, bearing the words 'Lest we forget' at the top. Affixed to the panel is a glass case housing an illuminated Book of Remembrance, commemorating those who served in the Second World War. A sword is attached immediately behind the case. Two red, electrical Flames of Remembrance are on either side of the sword's hilt. A large dedication plaque is mounted above, with the Australian flag and Union Jack on either side.
Nearby, a paper Roll of Honor for Moree commemorating those who served in the First World War is displayed in a timber frame, behind glass. The names are listed in the centre of the page in seven columns, bordered by an illustration of an ornate arch. The arch is decorated with the locations of battles.
The Northern Regional Library and Information Service, based at Moree, has conducted extensive research into the considerable contribution made by returned service personnel from the local Aboriginal communities. A nearby glass display case contains photographs of some of the many Moree and surrounding district indigenous servicemen and women who answered the call in time of war, including RAAF fighter pilot Leonard Victor Waters.
Moree & District War Memorial Education Centre
Lest We Forget
This Memorial is the gift of The Women's Auxillary of the Moree Sub Branch of the RSS & AILA
"It is a good and noble thing for a Community to build a War Memorial.
In it we express our thanks that we live in this country as a free and independent people.
We express our realisation that we owe this freedom to those men and women who gave themselves, and all that they had, in order that the ideals of freedom, justice and truth might prevail in our country, and in the life of the whole world.
By the erection of this War Memorial Education Centre, dedicated to the memory of those brave and noble souls, we give expression in a tangible and practical fashion, to our sense of gratitude for this spirit of service and self sacrifice, and also towards Almighty God, who is the source and strength of all man’s highest thoughts and aspirations.
Finally, it is very fitting and right that these high and noble ideals should be incorporated in, and woven into the very fibre and texture of our whole educational system, and that the boys and girls of to-day, and the children of the generations yet to come, should remember those who paid in blood, and tears, and sacrifice, i n order that this heritage might be handed on to them, as a foundation, strong and sure, upon which they may build an enduring structure based upon the splendid pillars of knowledge and wisdom of strength and beauty , and of truth and justice."
An extract from the dedication of this building on 18th April 1963.
Roll of Honor
Moree
Gallipoli, Pozieres, Ypres, Somme, Messines, Victory, 1914
[Names]
Palestine, Armentieres, Bullecourt, Passchendaele, Villers - Bretonneux, Freedom, 1919
Roll of Honour
of those who fell in the War of 1939-1945
[Names]
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