Gosford sandstone features in War Memorial extension

Wondabyne sandstone from Gosford Quarry will feature in the Australian Government’s $550M upgrade to the Australian War Memorial.

The quarry re-opened the same face that had been used to build the memorial in the 1930s and 40s so that builders could get a perfect match of new stone to the existing stone.

The Australian War Memorial’s new main entrance required 380m³ or around 800 tonne of Wondabyne sandstone from the quarry.

Stone was also processed at the quarry using a variety of tools including a robotic chisel.

The existing Wondabyne sandstone stairs and bastions at the memorial had to be carefully removed, stored and reinstated to allow builders to connect the new main entrance to the existing heritage-listed main building.

Wondabyne sandstone is also being used in the Anzac Hall which is still under construction.

The Wondabyne Quarry is typically only accessible three times a year when the adjacent rail line is closed for maintenance; the extracted stone needs to be hauled across water via a barge, and then on to Canberra.

“It is tremendous that sandstone from Gosford Quarry on the Central Coast has been used to help build the new main entrance to the Australian War Memorial,” Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid said.

“Our Central Coast community will be proud to know that a part of our region will forever help commemorate the sacrifice and service of Australian Defence Force personnel and their families at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

“I recently had the opportunity to be a part of the official public opening of the main entrance to the memorial, which saw the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and other members of the Australian Parliament attend.

“I wish to thank Gosford Quarry for their marvellous work in providing premium sandstone for this project, and I look forward to seeing the rest of the development come to life.

“Our community can also see the Australian War Memorial’s Art in Conflict exhibition which is on display at the Gosford Regional Library from February 15.”