A digital display to honour and name the lifesavers killed during the war, located at the Fallen Lifesavers Memorial in Coogee, is in the works. Originally planned as a wall display, the digital design is expected to be a poignant memorial that family members of the heroes will appreciate.
This project is Stage 2 of the Fallen Lifesavers Memorial, which was installed in 2014 at the southern section of the Goldstein Reserve. Stage 1 comprised a bronze statue of a soldier and a lifesaver standing hand-in-hand to symbolise friendship and camaraderie. It was designed by sculpture artist Alan Somerville.
Aside from the digital display that will have the names of all the fallen heroes, the second stage of the construction will also include landscaping and ambient lighting.
“We had originally planned to install the names on a wall,” according to Randwick Mayor Danny Said, adding that the digital interface will not take up too much space and “provide an interactive experience for family members researching loved ones lost in war.” The interactive display is easier to update as well.
“This is a space for locals, family members, and others to reflect on and remember the sacrifice made by these brave souls,” the mayor added. “It is such a generous act of service to not only want to protect the lives of swimmers at the beach but to also enlist to serve our country.”
Construction and installation of the digital memorial will start in September and will likely be completed at the end of 2021. Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club, which approached Randwick Council about the statue and memorial several years ago, has been tasked to manage the digital interface, including updating its information.
There were over 3,500 lifesavers who served Australia during the war.
“It’s an honour to have this national memorial based in Coogee, which has such a proud and longstanding link with surf lifesaving, and to be able to thank these men and women for their sacrifice,” according to Mr Said.
