Community members in Murray Bridge now have a location to remember the town’s veterans with the Murray Bridge War Memorial located in Sturt Reserve officially unveiled today.
The $250,000 project received $200,000 from the Australian Government through the Community Development Grants Programme in addition to $50,000 from the Rural City of Murray Bridge.
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the memorial was a much-needed addition to the community.
“Being built and designed in consultation with the Murray Bridge Returned Services League and the local community, this initiative will provide a place of commemoration for the community to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” Mr Pasin said.
“Our Nation owes a great debt to our veterans and commemorating their service is something I believe is so very important.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government’s $200,000 investment in community infrastructure would provide long term benefits to the Murray Bridge region.
“With Murray Bridge not previously having a dedicated war memorial and with over 3,000 people attending ANZAC Day services, I am sure that this project will be extremely welcomed by the local community and go on to serve as an important focal point for the area,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
- Rural City of Murray Bridge Mayor Brenton Lewis said it was important for the community to have an accessible and permanent site where people could come together in remembrance.
- “Attendance at our local ANZAC Day services has been growing in recent years and it’s important we now have a venue that can accommodate everyone, including our elderly service personnel, in a manner that befits the importance of the occasion,” he said.
Murray Bridge RSL president Rod Harris said the importance of a war memorial in the city would not be forgotten.
“We have never had a proper war memorial so our ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day events were not as they should be,” he said.
“Now thanks to our Federal Member and Council we have somewhere for these important days, in addition to a space where community members and visitors to the region alike can go to reflect.
“Mr Pasin really went into bat for us to get the funding for the memorial and we are very grateful to have his support in this endeavour.”
Media: Ness Juergens – 8531 2466
