Freedom-Wall

COUNCIL SPEECH – NATIONAL AUSTRALIA REMEMBERS FREEDOM WALL

Thank you Chair.

As we approach the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbour, I would like to bring to the attention of the Chamber work that has, and is being undertaken in my Ward to honour those who have served in the defence of our country.

Councillors will be aware that Mount Coot-tha is home to our national memorial at the end of World War II – “The National Australian Remembers Freedom Wall”.

Chair, I’m pleased to report that since the “National Australia Remembers Freedom Wall” was unveiled in 1996, it has just received its first significant facelift via new signage and logos.

This is a credit to the Schrinner Council which recognises that our city landmarks need to be regularly maintained and kept relevant as we count down to July 2032.

By way of a background, the National Memorial was designed by legendary Queenslander Robin Gibson and was the brainchild of the Veterans’ Affairs Minister of the day, the late Con Sciacca.

But sadly his passion was not shared by the Soorley administration which shamefully short-changed this project during the years it occupied City Hall.

That has been rectified under successive Liberal administrations and the memorial is now starting to realise its true potential.

Chair, next year, we will see the opening of the redeveloped Bonsai House which is the product of a life’s work of inspiring WWII veteran, Len Webber.

Bonsai House will join the World Expo 88 legacy asset The Japanese Gardens, the Children’s playground, and more Botanic-themed sculptures and enhanced Garden experiences.

It’s important, being an Olympic city, that we have international-class assets to show the world and the Schrinner Council is to be commended for its significant investment in the Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha to ensure it will be in full bloom come 2032. Thank you.