Ithaca War Memorial
100 years ago, the Ithaca War Memorial was unveiled by the then Governor of Queensland, Sir Matthew Nathan. This clock cenotaph monument, on Cook’s Hill, Paddington, commemorates the 130 local men who died in service or were killed in action in World War One.
Earlier this year, our State MP for Cooper, Jonty Bush, invited local community leaders to form a committee to organise the Centenary of the Memorial... discussing who will be presiding, attending and assisting the ANZAC Day Memorial Service, and related events… over a glass of wine at The Paddo Tavern.
Ithaca War Memorial Centenary Organising Committee, 2022
A century ago, another committee met, much like we do, only this time, they were discussing whether or not they should have a memorial for the Soldiers lost in the Great War; community fundraising activities; where it was going to stand; its design and construction; and what it was going to have engraved upon it… with tea and coffee, at the Ithaca Town Council Chambers.
Ithaca Town Council Chambers 1919
State Library of Qld
We found the following articles, showcasing the goings-on of the 1918-1922 meetings, just fascinating! Our meetings are hardly something we’d release to the press these days, but we probably use Social Media in much the same way.
In both cases, the local community is involved, and wants to know how their money is being spent. So, local community, be thankful we don’t share all of this with you today!
Enjoy a little ‘death-by-committee’, care of Alderman J. F. Hayward, circa 1920…
Alderman John Fairfax Hayward, 1919
John Oxley Library, Qld
ITHACA WAR MEMORIAL ARTICLES 1918-1922
The Telegraph Monday 7 January 1918
The Queensland War Council has notified the hon. secretary of the proposed Ithaca war memorial, that it does not consider the present time opportune for raising funds in aid of war memorials, unless they are of a nature which will give some practical benefit to soldiers or their dependents.
The Telegraph Monday 29 September 1919
This (Monday) evening, at the Red Hill Picture Pops, a meeting of Ithaca residents will be held to finally decide what form Ithaca's memorial to the fallen soldiers shall take. A subcommittee has been at work, and the matter is now ready to put before the people. His Excellency the Governor (Major Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams G.C.M.G., O.B.) will preside, and, after the meeting a short programme of pictures will be shown. No charge will be made for admission.
The Brisbane Courier Saturday 14 August 1920
The amount to the credit of the Ithaca War Memorial Fund is now £450, and the work of erection will soon be taken in hand. The directors of the new Picture Pops, Enoggera Terrace, have generously agreed to devote the proceeds of their opening night on Saturday, 16th instant, to the fund. The committee will meet in the Council Chambers on Monday evening to make final arrangements. The Brisbane Municipal Concert Band will give a concert in Wickham Park tomorrow evening.
The Telegraph Saturday 14 August 1920
The Ithaca War Memorial Committee met on Tuesday evening in the Council Chambers, Ald. J. F. Hayward presiding. It was announced that Windsor road Baptist Church would manage a cake stall at the fete on 28th instant, and Mrs. Fordham a flower stall. The Red Cross girls reported everything in order for their dance at Paddington on Saturday evening. A vote of thanks was accorded Plumridge's Ltd. for their donation to the stall. It was resolved that admission to the fete be by silver coin.
The Telegraph Thursday 19 August 1920
The committee of the Ithaca War Memorial met in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, Ald. J. F. Hayward presiding. The Red Cross girls reported a profit of £5 on their Paddington dance. The chairman had interviewed Captain Orr, of the Boys' Brigade, and that body had agreed to form a guard of honour to Colonel Sutton on the occasion of his opening the fete on 28th August. It was decided to invite members of the Ithaca Town Council and other prominent citizens to the function. A generous donation was to hand from the Helidon Spa Company.
The Telegraph Thursday 31 March 1921
The usual fortnightly meeting was held in the council chambers last night, Ald. J. F. Hayward presiding. The late swimming carnival resulted in a profit of £52 10s. Final arrangements for Friday's benefit at the Paddington Picture Pavilion were made. The treasurer reported that there was now banked to the credit of the fund £579.
The Brisbane Courier Friday 20 May 1921
At a meeting of the Ithaca War Memorial Committee on Wednesday evening, Alderman Hayward presiding, the secretary reported that the recent picture benefit had realised £9/9/, and that a children's concert in aid of the fund would take place on Saturday in the Foresters' Hall, Paddington. The treasurer reported that the fund now had a credit balance of £600. The committee will now fix a site, select a design, and proceed with the erection of the memorial.
The Brisbane Courier Monday 6 June 1921
The Ithaca Town Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers to decide the location of the war memorial. There is now £650 in hand, and the committee is prepared to receive designs for the structure. Relatives are invited by advertisement to forward to the committee names of Ithaca soldiers who fell in the Great War.
The Brisbane Courier Friday 8 July 1921
The committee of the Ithaca War Memorial announces that there is now £650 in hand, and the site on Cook's Hill has been approved by the local council. Designs will be received at the office of Mr. C. Campbell (hon. secretary), Roma Street, up to 1 o'clock tomorrow.
Daily Standard Wednesday 30 November 1921
The erection of a "war memorial" in Ithaca to mark the sacrifice made by so many of our young men who enlisted from Ithaca, is now being proceeded with. It is the intention of the memorial committee to engrave on the memorial the names of all who were killed during the war. To enable this to be done it is requested that the names be forwarded to the Ithaca Council. Chambers, Enoggera Terrace, at the earliest opportunity.
The Brisbane Courier Thursday 16 February 1922
The committee of the Ithaca War Memorial met in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, when the Treasurer reported a credit balance of £475/13/3. A letter was read from his Excellency the Governor agreeing to perform the unveiling ceremony at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday, February 25. The Ithaca Choral Society agreed to supply the necessary music, whilst the Boys' Brigade and lads from the Social Institute will form a guard of honour. Fourteen additional names have come to hand, and will be placed on the memorial after it been formally handed over to the Ithaca Town Council. A sub-committee was appointed to arrange all details.
The Brisbane Courier Friday 24 February 1922
The Ithaca War Memorial Committee met on Wednesday evening and made final arrangements for the unveiling ceremony tomorrow afternoon at 3.30. Accommodation will be provided for nearest relatives and those wishing to place wreaths on the memorial a portion of the roadway being reserved for the purpose. A printed memento of the ceremony will be distributed.
ITHACA'S WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED BY THE GOVERNOR
The Queenslander Saturday 11 March 1922
"Honour the Brave. Ithaca War Memorial. 1914-1919 Erected by the townspeople of Ithaca in honour of their soldiers who fell in the Great War."
These are the words inscribed on the face of the handsome memorial unveiled on February 25 by his Excellency the Governor (Sir Matthew Nathan) in the presence of a large gathering of residents.
The memorial occupies an excellent position on Cook's Hill, Paddington, and is a handsome monument, 26ft high, with a clock almost at its apex. The four dials are each 18in. in diameter and are on the synchronome system driven by a master clock in the fire station, the whole having been manufactured in Brisbane by the Synchronome Electrical Co. Neither the dials nor Master clock require any winding, the power being derived from a few dry cells, which in rewinding the master clock drives the hands of each dial forward half a minute. Any size of dial to 50ft. or more can be operated from these master clocks. The contract price of the memorial was £650, and it was designed and erected by Mr. A. H. Thurlow (monumental mason), under the supervision of Mr. R. Black, engineer for the town of Ithaca.
The Ithaca War Memorial Centenary of the Unveiling, 25 February 2022
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