On 16 February 2024, the Australian-American Memorial marked its 70th anniversary. This iconic sculpture was crowdfunded by Australians as a tribute to the sacrifices of Australian and US service personnel during WWII.
Designed by Sydney architect Richard Ure, the memorial emerged from a nationwide design competition organized by the Australian-American Association (AAA) in 1953. Ure’s winning entry, a last-minute inspiration, features an octagonal column crowned with an eagle whose wings sweep upward in a gesture of victory. Notably, the stone-carved American eagle gazes northward, coincidentally mirroring the bronze Australian eagle sculpture at the National Arboretum.
AAACBR President Alicia Doherty reflected on the memorial’s significance in an article by journalist Georgia Curry. Read more about it here: https://canberradaily.com.au/canberras-bugs-bunny-turns-70/
Photo credit: Georgia Curry
