For those interested in military history, this is one of two significant war memorials very close together in the CBD.
The main memorial is the ANZAC Cenotaph, which is prominently located in Martin Place. This one’s not so obviously positioned. You’ll find it across the road, on the opposite side of George St and set back in a small, open square.
It commemorates the formation of Australia’s first regular infantry regiment. This didn’t happen until after WWII. In 1945 a small regular army of 3 units was created, drawing volunteers mostly from Australia’s World War II AIF Divisions.
Modern in design, the memorial consists a long, low sandstone wall which features a series of 3D bronze figures. On the right hand side, an infantryman appears to charge from out of the wall, his rifle in his arms. It’s a dramatic image.
On the other side, three figures have taken up a sheltered position and lie with their rifles ready. One appears to take aim while another is keeping up surveillance with a set of binoculars.
Installed in 1976, the memorial is unusual because there are not very many monuments commemorating Australia’s involvement in the South-East Asian wars.
The conflicts are listed on the memorial and include Korea 1950–53, Malaya 1955–63, Borneo 1963–66, Malaysia 1964–65, Vietnam 1965–75, Somalia 1993, Rwanda 1994–95, East Timor 1999, Iraq 2003, Afghanistan 2005.