The Ex-Servicewomen’s Memorial Garden was opened on 20 November 2010. This happened after many years of campaigning for recognition and respect by ex-servicewomen. It honours the sacrifice of the 70,000 women who served this country from the Boer War through to 1985 when the women’s and men’s services were finally amalgamated.
The design of the Memorial Garden is very symbolic. The green foliage and purple flowers of the Jacaranda represent the Boer War where Australian women served as nurses. Green and purple are also the colours of the international women’s movement.
Each November the Jacaranda trees bloom with violet coloured flowers. The falling petals symbolise the confetti thrown during welcome home parades. Each of the 350 concrete violets embedded in the grass represents 200 ex-service women.
Today the Flanders red poppy is a recognisable symbol of remembrance but prior to the First World War, purple violets were the common symbol of remembrance in Australia.
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Explore nearby:
Driver and Wipers
The ‘Driver and Wipers’ sculpture commemorates the soldiers who fought and died at Ypres, Belgium in the First World War.
The 5,000 Poppies Project
The 5000 Poppies Project began as a personal tribute by two daughters to their fathers, who fought in the Second World War. The tribute has grown into a powerful community art project.
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