Gosford cenotaph completed for 100th anniversary

Office bearers of Gosford RSL Sub-branch and Freemasons on the Central Coast at the restored cenotaph

Restoration work on the Gosford cenotaph was completed just in time for Anzac Day and the monument’s 100th anniversary.

A collaboration between Gosford RSL, the NSW Government’s War Memorials Fund and Freemasons on the Central Coast, the restoration saw the cenotaph return to a pristine state after a century of wear and tear.

The cenotaph before restoration Photo: CCN archives

The Gosford cenotaph was instigated by Erina Shire Council and funds were raised by the community of Gosford and its several organisations.

It was designed by Gordon S. Keesing, who was a principal architect for many war memorials, made of sandstone and constructed at a cost of £624 12s in 1924.

It bears several inscriptions and two large honour rolls for the First and Second World Wars, with the top of the memorial featuring several laurel wreaths and the emblems of the three service branches of the Australian Defence Force.

It was restored, upgraded and dedicated as a tribute to all veterans by Gosford RSL Sub Branch in April 1988.

A Lone Pine which was planted at the site, was a graft from the original Lone Pine planted at the Australian War Memorial.

The stone memorial needed to be stripped, re-pointed and sealed, with the bronze plaques cleaned and sealed.

After the restoration Photo: Graeme Ingall

Freemasons on the Central Coast provided financial assistance for the refurbishment of the two honour rolls.

Early in April, the president and secretary of Gosford RSL Sub-branch joined the president and secretary from Freemasons on the Central Coast to inspect the renovations, with historian Meril Jackson giving a short talk on its history.

The Memorial Park in which the cenotaph is placed has been the site of remembrance services since 1922.

1 Comment on "Gosford cenotaph completed for 100th anniversary"

  1. Peter c sherring | April 30, 2024 at 8:22 am | Reply

    well done she looks good,when my father marched on Anzac day we all attended the service.

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