Media Release – 6 October 2017
‘Cumberland Council Mayor Greg Cummings was joined by NSW Minister for Veterans Affairs, the Hon. David Elliot; NSW Member for Granville, Ms. Julia Finn; and President of the Granville RSL Sub-Branch, Tao Bai to collect soil from the Granville War Memorial as part of the War Memorial Soil Collection Program.
The Program, being undertaken by one of Australia’s most prominent contemporary artists in Fiona Hall, endeavours to collect soil from every location around Australia where there was an enlistee in WWI. These soil samples will be displayed next to a plaque in the new Hall of Service at the ANZAC War Memorial in Hyde Park; close to 1700 plaques will be displayed on mass around the walls of the new Hall.
“It was a privilege to be a part of the special soil collection ceremony today at the Granville War Memorial,” said Mayor Greg Cummings after aiding in the collection of the soil.
“Granville was just one of 11 sites across Cumberland where soil will be collected.
‘To have so many sites across Cumberland is a nod to the brave people that lived in the area a century ago.
“These families were vital to building the spirit of our area, and while Cumberland has significantly changed from the agricultural centre it used to be, the same spirit is still reflected in the people that live here today.
“Soil from Cumberland suburbs will soon proudly sit within the new Hall of Service at the ANZAC War Memorial in Hyde Park.
“The samples collected from Cumberland will encapsulate Cumberland’s early history.”
When Fiona Hall’s artwork is complete and on display, Memorial visitors will be able to view interesting information on each listed location via digital devices. Information will include the details and date the local soil was collected, the names of every enlistee who gave that location as their home address, and pinpointed maps showing the local area and its surrounding memorials and schools.
For more information on the project and to view the full list of locations across Cumberland please visit http://www.anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/anzac-memorial-centenary-project/soil-collection-program.
