Skip to main content

Rocky Hill War Memorial Tower and First World War Honour Roll

Rocky Hill War Memorial Tower and First World War Honour Roll
Middle
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, front view looking up stairs
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, front view looking up stairs
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, in the distance
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, close-up of tablet for the Great War
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, close-up of foundation stone
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, close-up of 50th anniversary plaque
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, close-up of lighting of eternal flame plaque
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, eternal flame located inside the tower
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, close-up of time capsule plaque
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, marble honour roll inside the tower
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, close-up of decoration on marble honour roll inside the tower
Image
Rocky Hill Memorial Tower, history panel outside the tower
0 / 0
-
Description / Background

The memorial is a square tower, made from stone conglomerate and concrete. It was designed by E. C. Manfred and stands 19.5 metres high, watching over the city of Goulburn and surrounding district below. The lookout gallery at the top of the tower provides spectacular views, and the tower is floodlit at night.

Located inside, on the main wall of the tower's stairwell, is a large white marble honour roll, comprised of four plaques. The names of those from the district who served in the First World War are inscribed on the plaques and blackened. Against an adjacent wall is a white granite pedestal, on which a bowl and remembrance flame stand. The flame was first lit during its unveiling ceremony on 11 November 1984. Attached to the wall directly behind the pedestal is a polished timber plaque. It bears the badge of the Australian Military Forces and the words 'Lest we forget,' 'R.A.N.', and 'A.F.C.', for Royal Australian Navy and Australian Flying Corps respectively. 

The collection of objects, memorabilia, military heraldry, and technology allocated to the city after the First World War, as well as collections related to Goulburn's association with subsequent wars are housed in the nearby Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum. Each object tells a unique story of survival and the history of warfare. The museum was established around 1927 (The Canberra Times, 29 April 1927).

The Rocky Hill War Memorial, which includes the tower and Rocky Hill, is listed on the Register of the National Estate.

History

In July 1920, the Goulburn community decided a public 'soldiers' memorial’ should be built to commemorate those who served in the First World War. Several years later, the foundation stone of the memorial tower was laid on 25 April 1924. The tower was built by public subscription, as a lasting tribute to the men and women of Goulburn who served during this conflict. The land on which the tower stands was bought by W. J. Bartlett, a local citizen, and gifted to the people of Goulburn (Goulburn Evening Penny Post, 24 April 1924). 

Officially opened by the Governor of NSW, Sir Dudley De Chair, on 15 December 1925, the memorial cost £5,500 to build. The Goulburn Evening Penny Post, 17 December 1925reported on the event. Mayor Alderman Middlebrook was quoted as saying:

[I]t was now generally admitted that this was the finest memorial in Australia. The architect, Mr E. C. Manfred, had designed a tower which, rough and rugged in its beauty, conformed to the surrounding hill whereon it stood and which reminded them of the sturdy bravery of our illustrious soldiers.

Inscription

Foundation stone

This foundation stone

was laid by

Mr W. J. Bartlett,

donor of this hill

to the citizens of Goulburn,

ANZAC Day

April 25 1924.

Tablet on exterior of tower

To those who served

in the Great War

1914-18.

Honour roll

1914 To those who served 1918

Plaque

In commemoration of the

fiftieth anniversary

of the

opening of this memorial.

Unveiled by Ald. E J McDermott, Mayor.

15th December 1975.

Plaque

This plaque was unveiled 11th November, 1984

to commemorate the lighting of the eternal

flame by K Callinan, ED, JP, Installed as a

joint project by the Goulburn City Council

and the Goulburn sub-branch of the

Returned Services league of Australia.

Alderman K Cole, Mayor

K E Brown, Town Clerk

K Hazelwood, JP, Sub-branch President

Plaque

This time capsule was sealed on

15 December 2000

to commemorate the 75th anniversary of

the Goulburn War Memorial

Rocky Hill.

It contains artifacts contributed by the Goulburn RSL Sub-branch,

Goulburn City Council, Mulwaree High School students and

community members.

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
A R Aston World War 1 view
L Audubon World War 1 view
R Austin World War 1 view
W C Avery World War 1 view
C Ayling World War 1 view
N Ayling World War 1 view
A V Ayre World War 1 view
C Ayre World War 1 view
G Ayre World War 1 view
G H Ayre World War 1 view

Do you know more about this war Memorial?

Click here to learn how you can contribute
Sidebar
Address
Rocky Hill
Memorial Road
Goulburn NSW 2580
Local Government Area
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Board/roll/plaque/tablet
Building
Recorded by
Claire Baddeley. David Roden. Nick Young.
Year of construction
1924–1925
Dedication date
15 December 1925
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Materials
Concrete
Granite
Marble
Other stone
Timber