NATIONAL MEMORIALS
The Royal Australian Regiment National Memorial Walk is a ‘living” memorial to commemorate those soldiers who have died while serving overseas with the Regiment. View the Roll of Honour here.
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Regiment’s formation, The Royal Australian Regiment Association built the National Memorial Walk and Contemplation Building at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera , Queensland , from funds provided by public donation, assistance from the Federal and Queensland Governments, Brisbane City Council and RAR State and Unit Association members. The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency Sir William Deane, AC, KBE dedicated it in memory of our fallen comrades on Sunday 22 November 1998. View the Construction and Development here.
Many of the Regiment dead are buried overseas in Japan, Korea and Malaysia, and relatives and friends are unable to visit the graves of their loved ones. This Walk provides a place of solace and focus within Australia for the commemoration of the sacrifices made by our men.
The Walk consists of an avenue 700 metres long flanked by more than 1000 native Australian trees. The Walk is divided into operational theatre areas.
The inscription on the entrance stones at Sadlier Street and Regiment Way says:
“In Australia they will remember me. Here is their spirit, in the land they loved. And here we guard the record which they themselves made.”
– G.E.W. Bean, Official War Historian.
At the base of selected trees is an individual plaque bearing the name and details of each of the 695 members of the Regiment who have died on overseas service. The Contemplation Building provides a place for contemplation and remembrance. The building is used for community remembrance activities on Anzac Day, anniversaries of Battle Honours, campaigns and unit birthdays. On its forecourt, at the base of the flagpole, is a plaque commemorating those men who died while training in Australia.
A BBQ area, Diggers’ Rest, is a popular social gathering point for many activities. 
Since the official opening in November 1998, over 10,000 people have attended on special days and individual visits.
The Walk’s maintenance is the responsibility of RAR Association (Qld). The appointed Curator Kiwi Gibbons and his wife Margaret Gibbons, OAM give loving attention to the task.
The RAR National Memorial Image Gallery
(Click on the photos to enlarge)
A dedicated group of men (Dads’ Army) attend every Monday morning to cut grass, rake leaves, trim trees, tidy the building and do general maintenance tasks while other groups from the unit RAR associations come on a monthly scheduled basis. Capital improvements and maintenance is funded from grants, contributions and donations from DVA, the State and unit associations and visitors.
The Memorial Walk has become a special place for members, ex-members, relatives and friends of The Royal Australian Regiment. It is recognised as our spiritual home.
Path Layout Gallipoli Barracks – Enoggera
Queensland War Memorial Register
The Queensland War Memorial Register is a Queensland Government website which includes a comprehensive list of War memorials within Queensland, including the RAR National Memorial Walk.
Last Updated: 14 July 2010
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