Hay War Memorial High SchoolPrint Page

The Hay War Memorial High School was erected to commemorate those who served in World War One. 

It was officially opened on ANZAC Day, 1923, and was built as the town's war memorial to honour the extraordinary commitment made by Hay and District citizens to World War One. Public subscription from the Hay community collected between 1918 and 1923 helped to build the school. 

Of the 641 men who served in World War One, 103 did not return. This impacted greatly on the Hay and istrict community, who had one of the largest enlistment rates for a small town in Australia. Stone tablets listing those who died in World War One flank the entrance to the school. A Korean War plaque and an "Australia Remembers" plaque are also located at the school entrance. 

The people of Hay and district have every reason to be well pleased with the successful consummation of the first objective of the Hay War Memorial Committee, which took place on Wednesday (Anzac Day) afternoon in the presence of one of the largest and most representative gatherings of town and district residents which has ever assembled at a public function. The weather was ideal for the purpose. The proceedings were well carried out, those of a commemorative character with the reverent attention befitting the occasion. The Mayor, Mr. W. A. Beissel, presided. The initial stages, of the afternoon's work took place in the open air in the grounds in front of the building, where the asemblage was gathered.

The Mayor, on rising to open the proceedings, was received with applause. He said he was very pleased to see from that fine gathering that the people of Hay had not lost their interest in the record of their local volunteers. That gathering was a proof of that. They could not have shown greater love for their soldiers than in subscribing their quota to the cost of that fine building. He believed the soldiers themselves were of opinion that there could be no more fitting memorial to their fallen comrades. The school would provide a first class education for the boys and girls of the district, for whom they went to the Front, and made the supreme sacrifice. The Mayor invited the Minister to unveil the rolls of the names of the Hay and district volunteers who lost their lives on active service. These are contained on two trachyte tablets, one on each side of the entrance porch. When Mr. Bruntnell had done thlis, the flags fell on to a number of wreaths and floral tributes which had been placed at the feet of the columns.
Excerpt from The Riverine Grazier (Hay, NSW),  27 April 1923.

Location

Details

Dedication