Council to vote on heartfelt memorial initiative for local veterans

A new project is proposing changes to some of Bundaberg’s street signs, as well as discussions about potential future street names.

Some of the second reinforcements of the 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment after joining the regiment at Maadi, near Cairo. Back row, left to right: 808 Trooper (Tpr) Thomas Craig Gray of Gayndah Line, Qld; Tpr Hennessy; 732 Tpr Robert Meikle of Bundaberg, Qld; 810 Tpr Frederick Arnold Moss. Front row: 708 Tpr Reginald John Baldwin; Tpr Hew; Lance Corporal McConnell; 809 Tpr Dudley Walter Ponsford; Lieutenant Bernard Mahoney. Photo Australian War Memorial

The streets of Bundaberg may get a small but important change if the council ticks off a proposed two-phase project at an upcoming general meeting.

Bundaberg Regional Council will vote to introduce a Streets of Remembrance project to honour, recognise and remember the region’s veterans.

“Since World War I it has been widely recognised that Australia’s war experiences have played a key role in our evolving sense of national identity,” the project outline states.

“Across Australia, a local sense of involvement in war was remembered and commemorated, often through the erection of public memorials but also by naming streets and places in honour of those individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in meeting the challenge of the defence of democracy and freedom.”

The two-stage project includes improving street signs on streets named after local veterans and service personnel.

“Special street signs will be erected on streets that were named after these local veterans (living or deceased) or named after local families where multiple members of the family served,” the council document said.

“Each street sign on these streets will show the relevant service badge for the veteran being remembered, and the veterans name and rank included on the sign.”

In the second phase the council will work with the community to identify other veterans who could be commemorated with street names of future and unnamed roads.

“ … It is intended that this pool of names be made available for use by Council and developers,” it said.

A dedicated web page on the council website with further information about street names and the veterans they recognise would also be created.

The project outline does not include a total cost for the initiative, however says street signs could cost between $35 to $65 each depending on the size.

“The purpose of the Streets of Remembrance is to provide a means for Council to formally honour the service history and sacrifice of local veterans and families made during Australia’s armed conflicts,” the council documents say.

Councillors will vote on the project at the October 31 general meeting.