The year in review

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Assistance to Papua New Guinea
Maintenance Contractor
Horticulture
Plaque Refurbishment

Assistance to Papua New Guinea

The OAWG North Queensland Regional Manager, Mr Peter Fox, has made several visits to Papua New Guinea during the course of 2002. Peter’s expertise is required to assist and advise the Papua New Guinea Liaison Manager on horticultural matters affecting the three major war cemeteries in Papua New Guinea. In the latter part of the year Peter, assisted by other Australian staff, completely refurbished the Rabaul Memorial to the Missing, situated in the Rabaul War Cemetery.

Maintenance Contractor

A new maintenance contractor has been appointed to maintain the Cairns War Cemetery. The trade name of the contractor is Fi’s Garden Maintenance Service and is run by a young woman. Fiona is very enthusiastic about her association with OAWG.

Horticulture

As with most of Australia, North Queensland horticulture suffered during the year due to the ongoing drought conditions. Due to the water shortage, OAWG war cemetery maintenance contractors in North Queensland were advised to irrigate their respective cemeteries as per local council instructions.

Seven trees were removed from the Atherton War Cemetery late in 2002, on the recommendation of the CWGC Director of Horticulture. The tree removal forms part of a complete planting upgrade planned for the Atherton War Cemetery. The front garden bed at the Cairns War Cemetery will be refurbished at the same time.

	Cairns War Cemetery

Plaque Refurbishment

The bronze plaque laminating program is now well progressed in North Queensland. The purchase of a new compressor has greatly assisted staff in this endeavour. Approximately 150 official plaques in the Cairns Civil Cemetery have been completed, as well as most of the plaques situated in cemeteries in the western area of North Queensland.

My daughter and I visited the South Australian Garden of Remembrance yesterday for the first time. As we reached the top of the stairs we both automatically halted in absolute awe at the scene below, the running blue water, the magnificent array and display of purple and white pansies surrounded by the many walls of memorial plaques, plus the large display of the four services represented.