Nurse statue unveiled in Blackall
22 November 2023- History & commemoration
- Media release
The statue is of WWI nurse Sister Greta Norman Towner.
On Friday 10 November, a memorial statue of World War I nurse Sister Greta Norman Towner was officially unveiled by the Blackall RSL Sub Branch at Blackall’s Memorial Park.
The “Walking with Greta” bronze statue has been designed to recognise the significant contribution Australian women made to the war effort.
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, unveiled the life-size monument of the esteemed local veteran ahead of Remembrance Day.
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, and Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD attending the unveiling of the statue
Commissioned by the Blackall RSL Sub Branch and supported by the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, the statue is the second in the country dedicated to honouring military nurses and the broader contributions of women in the military.
Crafted by Queensland sculptor Cam Crossley, the statue pays tribute to Sister Greta Norman Towner, a WWI nurse from Blackall who served in the Gallipoli campaign, as well as in tours across France and England. The monument stands in the park across from her brother’s statue, Lieutenant Edgar Thomas Towner VC MC, who also served in WWI on the Western Front.
Blackall RSL Sub Branch President Terri-Ann Eden-Jones emphasised the importance of erecting monuments that honour local community members who served – particularly women who played an instrumental role in service.
“We believe it is vital that Greta and Edgar have a permanent reference in Blackall to honour their remarkable contributions to the nation,” Ms Eden-Jones said.
“It is important that we work towards the right balance of representation for those who served and fought for Australia.”
Blackall RSL Sub Branch President Terri-Ann Eden-Jones
The Towner siblings, born and raised in Blackall, served in the Australian Army from 1915, both returning to their hometown physically unharmed in 1919.
Efforts to implement a permanent memorial for Greta and Edgar have been ongoing for several years with the help of community groups and residents. In 2009, a full-scale statue of Lieutenant Edgar Thomas VC MC, titled “Towners Call”, was unveiled to highlight his service on the Western Front.
“Thanks to the joint efforts of the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, the local school and members of the Blackall RSL Sub Branch, we have been able to highlight the significance of Greta’s service, as well as her relevance to other rural women who served,” Ms Eden-Jones said.
“Now we have the unique story of two siblings who served in World War I and their statues are together in one location.”
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