Eumundi Voice, Issue 101, 5 September 2024

COMMUNITY

Pomona remembrance seat dedication

On 10 August a special ceremony was held to dedicate a remembrance seat located at Joe Bazzo Park, Pomona. Joe Bazzo Park is located on land that in 1939 was known as the Soldiers Memorial Park. The significance of the Pomona Rotunda War Memorial is that it was the last WWI memorial completed and dedicated in Australia before the outbreak of WWII.

The remembrance seat was funded under the federal government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Program. The project was undertaken by the Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club with the support of Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien and Independent State Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton, who both backed the grant application with the assistance of Noosa Council.

The remembrance seat has a unique design, featuring the face of one of Noosa district’s sons – Pvt John William Hempsall – who gave his life for his country. The nurse portrayed on the memorial seat symbolises esteemed community member and volunteer, Valerie Lawrence-Slater.