The year in review

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Concrete edging
Tree removal
Visits
General

Concrete edging

The concrete edging that surrounds the Adelaide River War Cemetery in the Northern Territory was replaced in November 2002. This work was brought about by the deterioration of the existing kerbing that had been in place for almost 60 years. In total, over 250 linear metres of edging was replaced by local contractors.

Tree removal

A group of seven Delonix Regia have been removed from the northern border, as they were no longer safe due to extensive rotting and termite activity. The work was carried out using a 30-ton crane, chipper and stump grinder to remove the very large trees. Four of the trees in the civilian cemetery were each lifted out in one piece to prevent damage to adjacent structures and horticulture. The northern boundary border shrubs within the war cemetery has been pruned and replanting has been carried out to enhance the backdrop following removal of the trees.

	above: Tree removal, Adelaide River War Cemetery

	above: New garden edging at the Adelaide River War Cemetery

Visits

On 20 February 2002, following the dedication of the new Northern Territory Garden of Remembrance, approximately 600 veterans and VIPs attended a 60th anniversary reunion service at the Adelaide River War Cemetery. This was another memorable occasion, particularly for the veterans who participated. Many favourable comments were received by the Regional Manager.

In July, the RAAF Society (Darwin) and the Carbine Clubs of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong held small dedication services at the war cemetery. Among the visitors were the President of the Port Moresby RSL, Mr Garth McIlwain and Chairman of the North Melbourne AFL Club, Mr Alan Aylett.

In September 311 visitors from the Australian Cemetery and Crematorium Association paid a visit to the Cemetery while in Darwin for their annual conference. Again numerous compliments were extended to the Manager.

General

In May and June, major pruning of the border shrubs was carried out to reduce plant stress and alleviate burning of foliage as a result of the tree lopping. New shrubs were also added to the borders. Two raised garden beds were added to the front lawn area of the war cemetery to cover exposed tree roots that were becoming a hazard to visitors, as well as causing difficulty when mowing.

Feral pigs have often been a problem over the past few years and this year was no exception, one of the new raised garden beds becoming their target. An ongoing battle ensued between the pigs and the Regional Manager, with the pigs digging up the freshly planted shrubs each night and the Manager replanting them the next day. The Manager eventually won the battle. Interestingly, no other area of the front lawn was subjected to the same damage.

A late start to the wet season this year required an increase in the amount of water pumped from the Adelaide River in order to maintain the war cemetery to its usual high standard.

Thank you for notifying me of the final steps of the memorial to my husband at Centennial Park, Pasadena. I wish to say how grateful and happy I am to you all for the consideration, caring and thought that has been put into organising such a great memorial to all our boys over the years. I am also happy to be able to see such beauty whenever I visit, my thoughts are always with those who work so hard to maintain such beauty. The peace and serenity is so soothing that one can’t be unhappy in such surroundings. Also thank you for continuing to maintain and care for these gardens. My brothers and I were Legacy children in 1930s so this means a geat deal to us now we are older.

I would like to thank you most sincerely for the official memorial for my husband which has been placed in the Garden of Remembrance. I have been to see the memorial and was absolutely thrilled as it is a lasting tribute to a life well lived. I was also impressed with the quiet beauty of the Garden and the great sense of peace which prevails there. I will be a regular visitor and I thank you for your kindness.

I visited the Crematorium last Wednesday to view the finished memorial and am very happy with it. It is in a lovely setting with palms, gardens and a gazebo nearby for quiet reflection. Thank you very much for providing this lasting memorial. What a shame he can’t know how well we’ve been treated!