The Anzac Centenary Memorial Garden Walk, South Australia’s commemoration of the thousands of Australian service men and women, has received the Civic Landscape Award at the 50th Annual Australian Institute of Landscape Architects SA Awards.
First opened to the public earlier this year, thousands of South Australians have visited the Kintore Avenue Memorial Garden Walk, stopping to linger and reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of those who served throughout a century of conflict.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Martin Hamilton-Smith said the award, presented to Deiter Lim and his team from Tract Consultants, was announced on Friday night at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects SA Awards ceremony.
Background
The 280 metre Memorial Walk runs along Kintore Avenue, linking the South Australian National War Memorial to the Torrens Parade Ground, where many service personnel left for war.
A 70 metre interpretive wall, made from local black granite and an open blade fence along the Government House eastern boundary are key features of the design.
The granite wall depicts Australian society through a century of conflict and honours the more than 102,000 Australian servicemen and women who have died in conflict since Federation.
The Memorial Walk was opened on 23 April 2016 by Tobruk veteran, 98 year old Bill Corey, accompanied by the Governor His Excellency the Hon Hieu Van Le AC, Premier Jay Weatherill and Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith.
The $10 million project was first proposed by the Veterans Advisory Council and was funded through the Commonwealth’s Anzac Centenary Public Fund ($5 million), a State Government commitment ($3 million) and the Adelaide City Council ($2 million).
The eastern boundary of Government House was moved 10 metres west to accommodate the Memorial Walk, the first change to Government House’s boundary in more than 90 years.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Martin Hamilton-Smith
This is a terrific outcome for a very hard working team who produced an outstanding result.
Years of consultation, thoughtful planning and fine workmanship have delivered this beautiful space to honour the service of our State’s veterans.
It is a place for quiet reflection – where South Australians can show their appreciation for those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy the peace and freedoms we enjoy today.
The transformation of Kintore Avenue into this Memorial Walk has been extraordinary, and the project was completed using locally sourced materials including pavers from Padthaway, near Bordertown and Streaky Bay and granite from Black Hill near Mannum.
Memorials portray the suffering, sacrifice and heroism of those who have died in conflict, and the courage and commitment of those who served and continue to serve. This Memorial Walk is for all those who have served and all who have been exposed to the traumas of war. It’s for the families at home and the generations who followed.
The Memorial Walk also opens up the view of Government House and its grounds to the public – providing a great addition to our historic North Terrace precinct.