ARTSCAPE was engaged by Gosford City Council (Central Coast Council) to develop a memorial for the Vietnam Veterans, Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia, Central Coast Sub-Branch and Gosford Council.

 

The War Memorial commemorates those who served in the Vietnam War. The memorial, delivered as part of the Ettalong Foreshore Upgrade, replaces the original memorial, which was dedicated on the 10th August 2002.

 

ARTSCAPE worked closely with the Landscape Architects at Council and the Veterans Association to develop a design that was fitting with the overall landscape scheme, developed for the extensive foreshore reserve. ARTSCAPE sought to maximise the impression of open space along the foreshore reserve positioning the memorial so it openly caters for commemorative services with the stunning beach as its backdrop.

 

The memorials stepped design utilises stacked black polished granite blocks, which are flush faced on the rear side to accommodate uninterrupted etched graphics. And work in with the streamlining of pedestrians on the main north south path. The front face embraces the stepped nature of the design to assist with graphic setout of text and defense emblems. The curve offers protection – both spatially, as an offering of protecting special places and embracing those who reflect within it – and as protection from costal winds when wreaths are laid in memory of those who served.