Memorial Walk commemorates service to Australia

In honour of Australia’s rich military tradition, Remembrance Avenue in Cockburn Central has been transformed into a memorial walk commemorating Australia’s involvement in conflicts and theatres of war throughout history.
 
Commissioned by the City of Cockburn, the Cockburn Central West Memorial Walk comprises 36 commemorative plinths installed on both sides of Remembrance Avenue.
 
Each of the 36 plinths is dedicated to a particular conflict or theatre of war in which Australian forces fought and information includes:

• The name and location of the conflict
• Dates for the beginning and end of the conflict
• The number of Australian veterans involved, wounded and killed in the conflict
• Period-accurate insignias representing the Australian armed services involved in the conflict

“The City is proud to memorialise the many Australians who served their country in both war and peace time and the sacrifices that they made,” City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said.
 
“I would like to acknowledge the many local veterans who helped drive this project. The completion of this memorial walk is testament to your passion, dedication and commitment,” Mayor Howlett said.
 
Digger Cleak OAM, President City of Cockburn RSL, praised the project.
 
“First I would like to compliment the Cockburn City Council for having the initiative to provide a lasting memorial for future generations to enjoy and appreciate and also learn of the dedication of service men and women who were willing to pay a huge sacrifice so that our country remains free,” Mr Cleak said.
 
“I would also like to thank the City Council for inviting the City of Cockburn Sub-branch of the Returned & Services League to participate in a project that further strengthens the bond between the two entities.
 
“This is not the first time that Council has consulted with the RSL Sub-branch over memorial structures and events and is an example of what can be achieved when working together.”
 
The 36 conflicts commemorated by the Memorial Walk are:

1. European and Aboriginal Conflict (1788-1890)
2. Crimean War (1853-1856)
3. New Zealand and Maori Wars (1845-1872)
4. Sudan Crisis (1885)
5. Second Anglo Boer War (1899-1902)
6. Boxer Rebellion (1900)
7. The First World War (1914-18)
8. Battle of the Cocos Islands (1914)
9. Gallipoli (1915-1916)
10. Battle of the Somme (1916)
11. Battle of Passchendaele (1917)
12. Battle of Beersheba (1917)
13. The Western Front (1918)
14. Russia (1919)
15. World War II (1939-1945)
16. Mediterranean (1940)
17. Royal Australian Air Force (1939-1945)
18. Defence of Crete (1941)
19. Siege of Tobruk (1941-1942)
20. Battle of Singapore (1942)
21. The Bombing of Darwin (1942)
22. New Guinea (1942-1943)
23. Royal Australian Navy (1939-1945)
24. Island Hopping (1939-1945)
25. North Borneo (1945)
26. The Korean War (1950-1953)
27. Battle of Kapyong (1951)
28. Malayan Emergency (1950-1960)
29. The Borneo Confrontation (1962-1966)
30. The Vietnam War (1962-1975)
31. The Battle of Long Tan (1966)
32. Peace Keeping (1980-2000)
33. Gulf War (1990)
34. East Timor (1980-2000)
35. Afghanistan War (2001)
36. Irag War (2003-2011)

The project was funded from the City’s Developer Contribution Plan.