A Statue To Honour Caloundra's Wartime History

During the war, from 1939 to 1945, many homes were commandeered by the Armed Forces with the Caloundra School in Queen Street becoming the headquarters for the American Army. The town was also considered a restricted area by the Australian Defence Force.  

American tanks of 2/5th Armoured Regiment, Caloundra, 1944

Likewise, its proximity to the shipping channel made it the perfect place for an observation area for shipping movements.  

Caloundra’s role in WWII has been cast in bronze at the Kings Beach Amphitheatre, with Caloundra RSL Sub Branch unveiling a memorial in honour of those who served.  

A HISTORY TO BE RECOGNISED 

It is said that 30 Army units formed up at Kings Beach to farewell Australia before joining the war effort overseas.  

It is these troops that Caloundra RSL Sub Branch President Heather Christie and Welfare Officer Gary Phillips wanted to honour in a bronze statue unveiled at Kings Beach on 13 August.  

“This beach represents the last memories of home for the young men and women in the photos we have of this time before they went off to war,” Gary says.  

The bronze statue is of a soldier, nurse, and wounded soldier on a single plinth. And the decision to place the statue at the Amphitheatre reflects back to the site being the parade ground for 24,000 to 30,000 troops who trained in the area during WWII.  

“The nurse who the statue was modelled on, Faye Clarke, is now 104 years old and was with us at the unveiling on 13 August, Victory in the Pacific Day”. 

“This is our heritage, and it is imperative we are reminded of the bravery and sacrifice these men and women gave and those who continue to serve in the defence of Australia.”  

The project has been more than three years in the making, with it finally coming to life thanks to the generous donation of a local philanthropist.  

“The statue would be around $300,000 to create the piece, and we made every effort to fundraise the amount or apply for grants. We were very fortunate to have a local philanthropists Roy and Nola Thompson step forward and commit the amount needed to build it,” Caloundra RSL Sub Branch President Heather Christie says. 

A STATUE BROUGHT TO LIFE 

With funding secured, the Sub Branch chose local artists Mark Snell and Jane Bailey of Larvaworx Art Studio in Coolum.  

The local community gathered to unveil the memorial at Kings Beach on the original parade ground, with a military presence and band.  

“It was a great afternoon and evening, with the Queensland Air Museum and War Birds Airforce Model Aeroplane Club providing military displays and the Kawana State College drama group providing and setting the theme, with more than 90 young people portraying the VICTORY,” Gary says. 

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