The Australian Volunteers MemorialPrint Page 
The memorial features a large V structure which displays the badges of volunteer-based organisations from anywhere in Australia. The structure forms part of a tribute garden and is surrounded by plinths containing plaques remembering the volunteers in war.
Saturday saw the unveiling of an impressive tribute to volunteers set to rival landmarks like the Big Banana and the Big Pineapple. The four metre high statue was installed in a prominent position on the corner of William and Anna Streets near the RSL club car park.
Residents, local dignitaries and visitors gathered at 10am as the statue was unveiled and dedicated by former Australian Defence Force chief surgeon and renowned Brisbane paediatrician Major General Professor John Pearn.
The monument, made by local company Rockpress, will form part of a larger tribute garden, as a reminder of the millions of hours donated by volunteers around Australia.
Beaudesert RSL Sub Branch President Errol Guilfoyle said volunteers kept our country moving. “Volunteers come from all walks of life and make such a valuable contribution to our communities – this monument is just a small gesture in recognition of their hard work and dedication,” Mr Guilfoyle said.RSL Sub Branch administration manager Joanne Crocker said the tribute was the brainchild of long-time sub branch member Robert Maher. “The idea is to honour our volunteers of the past 100 years, since this year is the 100th birthday of the RSL Sub Branch in Beaudesert,” Ms Crocker said. “The memorial will acknowledge volunteers in the area and will display the badges of community volunteers including Lions, Rotary, CWA and the rural firies.”
Mr Maher said the memorial would have national significance. “There is nothing like it in Australia or the world,” he said. “It may not be important now in the minds of some people but it is a tribute to the enormous contribution to not only to society but to government. “The work of volunteers has an impact on the economy measured in billions of dollars.”
Mr Maher said the memorial would display the badges of volunteer-based organisations from anywhere in Australia and would hold more meaning than many of the other giant monuments in the country. I think it is more meaningful than a big banana or a big prawn.
The Beaudesert Times, 22 October 2018.
Location
| Address: | William & Anna Streets, Beaudesert RSL (The Club Beaudesert), Beaudesert, 4285 |
|---|---|
| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -27.989536 Long: 152.997931 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Culture |
| Sub-Theme: | Community |
| Monument Manufacturer: | RockPress (V structure) |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 20th October, 2018 |
|---|
THE
AUSTRALIAN
VOLUNTEERS
THIS AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEER TRIBUTE
IS AN INITIATIVE OF
THE BEAUDESERT RETURNED AND SERVICES LEAGUE
SUB- BRANCH INC
AND IS DEDICATED TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED
OUR COMMUNITES AND NATION
Plaque:
Dedicated to All Those Australians
Who Give Freely of
Their Time to a Cause or Organisation
With Empathy, Courage, Fortitude
Honesty, Humour and Loyalty
To Teach, To ShareTo Encourage,
and To Enrich Their Communities
Plaque:
This Memorial was Dedicated
20 October 2018
By Major General JOHN PEARN AO RFD
To Recognise the Centenary of
The Beaudesert RSL Sub-Branch
And to Honour All Australians Who
Volunteer Their Service.
