Additional Information
The Department of Public Lands approved a reserve for a memorial in March 1920, however, it was not until 1922 that the Cooroy War Memorial was erected as a tribute to those soldiers from the area who died in WWI. The memorial was largely the result of public subscription with community members invited to make donations towards the cost of the memorial.
The memorial is the work of A.L. Petrie and Sons who were prolific makers of war memorials following WWI. It is typical of WWI war memorials, featuring a digger statue with rifle reversed, mounted on Helidon stone foundations with a front marble plaque inscribed with the names of soldiers who died during WWI. It was completed at a cost of £350. General Sir Thomas W. Glasgow K.G.B. unveiled the memorial on Monday, 17 April 1922, to be held in trust by the Noosa Shire Council on behalf of the people of Cooroy. The names of those who died in WWII were added to the memorial later and further plaques have been added over time to commemorate those who served and died in Korea, Southeast Asia, Malaya and Vietnam.
Although there are many different types of memorials in Queensland, the digger statue is the most common. It was the most popular choice of communities responsible for erecting the memorials,
embodying the ANZAC myth and representing the qualities of the ideal Australian - loyalty, courage, youth, innocence and masculinity. The digger statue was a phenomenon peculiar to Queensland, perhaps because other states had followed Britain's lead and established Advisory Boards comprised of architects and artists, prior to the erection of war memorials. The digger statue was not highly regarded by artists and architects, rather it represents the communities for whom they were made.
The original timber post and rail fence was removed and replaced with shrubs in 1967. In 1991, the replica .303 rifle was stolen from the memorial. The Cooroy RSL paid for its replacement at a cost of $1,200 and commissioned John Petrie of Northgate, grandson of A. L. Petrie, to complete the restoration works. In 1993, park beautifications works were undertaken including paving, the installation of seating and various plantings and in 1995, two flag poles were erected.
Additional memorial elements have been added to the park over time. In 2023, the RSL commissioned the restoration of the original statue, including the reinstatement of the corner urns.Heritage ListedNoosa Local Heritage RegisterAddress54,Tewantin Road/Kauri Street,Cooroy
