The construction of a war memorial in Sydney means lives lost in battle can now finally be acknowledged
By the end of the Korean War, 340 Australian troops had lost their lives and a further 18 would die in the post-conflict period. To commemorate the service of those who fought and died in battle, a Korean War Memorial was constructed in Moore Park, Sydney.
Commercial landscape contractor Design Landscapes Pty Ltd was the principal contractor engaged by the NSW Department of Commerce to undertake all works associated with the construction of the war memorial. The project was completed in June 2009.
Exhibiting a very high level of symbolism, the memorial has a simple visual composition but with a considerable depth of detail in its construction. From the memorial wall and battle mounds to the flowers and memorial pathway, the structure has been constructed as a symbolic representation of the war and the lives lost.
The memorial is enclosed by an inclined circular stone wall constructed from handhewn and laid-in Jasper Bluestone. Access to the memorial is via a meandering pathway symbolising balance and harmony or yin and yang, the central motif of the Korean flag.
To achieve this level of precision was difficult, says Michael Platt from Design Landscapes: “Not only does it curve and grade downwards to the entrance but the
wall also tapers in width, requiring different base dimensions subject to wall height.” Within the memorial stand forged steel and bronze Flowers of Sharon, the South Korean national flower. There are 136 open flowers symbolising the 136 NSW-born Australian soldiers who died in the war and a single unopened flower symbolising the Unknown Soldier.
The memorial also has two large granite stones in the centre, quarried in Kapyong in Korea, site of one of the most significant battles fought by the Australians. The stone has been split in two, illustrating the ongoing division of the Korean peninsula into north and south.
Battle mounds — 11 precast concrete panels engraved with the location of those battles for which Australians received battle honours — are located throughout the memorial. The rough top edge of the panels contrasts with the smooth faces and is reminiscent of the mountainous landscape of Korea.
Memorial plaques are located adjacent to the flagpoles and provide a brief history of the Korean War. They also list the names of the Australians who died both during the war and the post-armistice period. Within the Mintaro slate that makes up the memorial pathway are engraved the names of 22 nations which contributed combat and medical support under the United Nations banner. At the end of the path are replicas of the medals awarded to Australians for their service in the Korean War.
The Korean War Memorial has been designed with symbolism in mind. The detail attributed to each feature and the sophisticated level of construction mean the memorial will stand in honour of the Australians lost in battle for generations to come.
Contact
Design Landscapes Pty Ltd
Ph: 02 9958 9400
Web: www.designls.com
Project Particulars
Project Manager: NSW Department of Commerce
Landscape Architect: POD Landscape Architecture Pty Ltd
Principal Contractor: Design Landscapes Pty Ltd
Artwork: Jane Cavanough, Artlandish
Battle Mounds: Sydney Precast Pty Ltd
Mintaro Slate: KHD Stone Merchants
Plaques and Medals: Artee Signs
