Stunning scenery, a picturesque location and one of the best pieces of real estate on offer in Tea Gardens.
The Tea Gardens War Memorial has quickly built a reputation as the most cherished location for a memorial in Australia.
Built in 2003, the memorial was the culmination of over a year's worth of hard work by a dedicated committee assisted by a generous community.
Over an 18 month period the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest RSL sub-branch raised $50,000 through various donations from business people, Veterans Affairs and townsfolk as well as a number of raffles and other fundraisers.
Designed by Hickey and Associates architects free of charge and built under the guidance of local tradesmen Graham Lawler and Brian Carr, again free of charge, the memorial acts as a simple reminder to the citizens of Tea Gardens Hawks Nest and surrounds of those who gave their lives for the freedom of our nation.
Now the memorial is set to undergo further development thanks to a trip made by RSL sub-branch president Ron Franks.
On a recent journey to Townsville as part of a World War II remembrance tour, Mr Franks came across a rather unique and ingenious idea.
"Along the foreshore is a wonderful park called Anzac Park, with three very symbolic memorials," Mr Franks said.
"There is a standard war memorial, one for the VC winners and another remembering those who fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
"All three places had a 'touch and tell' and I was most impressed seeing all the children and their families putting their hands on the devices to listen to the history of each of the memorials."
The idea so impressed Mr Franks that he decided to raise the idea with the local sub-branch on his return to Tea Gardens.
"They thought it was a brilliant idea as well," he said.
"And while I was telling them about the park in Townsville, one of our members popped up with the suggestion that we should name our memorial park Anzac Park as well."
A submission to Great Lakes Council was made and the good news came back that council would support both the ‘touch and tell' and the naming of the park initiatives.
Already the sub-branch has raised over $2,000 towards the cost of the $9,000 ‘touch and tell', which will most likely feature at the entrance to the war memorial.
The device will feature the Qantas Youth Choir singing 12 bars of the Australian National Anthem followed by a voice recounting the story of why war memorials exist.
That will be in turn be followed by the playing of the Last Post, the reciting of the Ode and Reveille will finish the presentation.
For Mr Franks it is yet another way to ensure the youth of today remembers the sacrifices made by those who have fought and died for our country.
"I'd say that everyone person in this town would have someone who served in one of the many conflicts this country has been involved in," he said.
"It puts a smile on every veteran's face when you see so many people turning out for Anzac Day ceremonies, or walking the Kokoda Track or travelling to Gallipoli.
"This is just another way to remember and reflect upon the Anzac spirit."
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