memorials

SANDAKAN MEMORIAL PARK

It is now three years since the opening of the Sandakan Memorial Park and dedication of the Memorial. In that time there have been nearly 48,000 visitors to the park with 14,000 of those visiting this year.

Vandalism has unfortunately continued in the park, which finally resulted in the loss of a number of signs around the park. Several steps have been taken to prevent this happening again.

Firstly, only three of the signs are being replaced: the front entrance sign, and the two signs that contain the park map and state the purpose of the Memorial Park. The plaques have been sea-freighted to Sandakan and it is anticipated they will be in place by early 2003.

Secondly, the interpretative plaques will be replaced by numbered concrete posts that will connect to paragraphs in a new brochure. The new brochure incorporates the previous brochure and the wording from the 6 interpretative panels. It has been produced in both English and Malay and has already arrived in country.

Finally, a nightwatchman has been employed to patrol the area after dark. The Park Manager reports that this has been successful in reducing the amount of vandalism taking place.

The Park Manager continues with the program of replanting in order to screen the Memorial Park from the new building development. The Sabah Forestry Department has been of invaluable assistance.

	Stained glass window and memorial doors at the Sandakan Memorial Museum

I would like to thank you for the memorial park you have created here in Sandakan. I am here for two years with my husband, employed as a consultant with the Malaysian Department of Education, and apart from anything else, the park is a cool, green refuge for me — we live a street away in an estate of terraces, an advertisement for the many and varied uses of concrete! The Commemorative Pavilion is beautifully understated and the historical information really well laid out. I love the gates beneath Robin Seville’s stained glass, that look out onto the trees masking the memorial obelisk. On our first visit David and I left in tears and could barely fill in the register. From other entries, many people have been just as moved. I come to the park almost every day. It comes alive with people in the evening hours… lots of joggers and little groups sitting and talking. It’s ironic to think how different its use is now, from the 1940s….