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Site Details
   
Darwin Cenotaph
Permanent Declaration
Object
The monument is comprised of a marble column surmounted on a square base weighing 7.65 tonne. It is 5.5 metres high surmounted by a marble ball. The ball was to be replaced by a bronze figure but this has never been undertaken. The base of the monument weighs over seven and a half tons.
Darwin Cenotaph was the first official memorial to be erected in the Northern Territory. Dedicated on 24 April 1921 it was unveiled by the Administrator F.C. Urquhardt at Liberty Square, the area in front of the Administrator's residence. It was erected to commemorate those who lost their lives in the First World War.
The cenotaph is a simple aesthetic design held in high esteem and highly valued by the community as a symbol of those who died in war overseas and on Australian soil in defence of their country. It represents part of the social fabric of a community and is the focal point at which the community congregates at times of Territory and National memorial in association with the defence forces. It is a focal point and a solemn reminder of the effects of major wars, which have affected the community.

Its importance to the community has been demonstrated through the efforts that have been taken to relocate it twice since its erection. In 1971 the monument was re-erected in the Civic Centre Gardens, as Liberty Square became too small to hold commemorative services. In 1989 a larger site was again required. In 1990 the monument was re-erected on the Esplanade. In 1999 it was again moved 5 metres along the esplanade to provide a better orientation for commemorative services and as part of a refurbishment programme.

The monument overlooks Darwin Harbour from which all men left during the First World War and would have been one of the last familiar sites the men would have seen as they sailed off to war. It overlooks the harbour where so many died during the Japanese air attack on 19 February 1942 and is located on the site where the guns of the 14th Anti-Aircraft Battery were positioned and which fired the first shots in defence of Australia on Australian soil during the Second World War.
05/09/1996
14/11/1996
26/03/1997
Comment sought
01/02/2000
23/06/2000
15/03/2000
1999/4706
Historic
Darwin Municipality
Photo
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewDwnCenotaph_LR1.jpgLooking South at Cenotaph12/JUL/21
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Scan
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewInstrument.pdf - 10/FEB/09
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Further Information
   
no data found
Approximate Location
   
LAIS KeyStreet NumberStreet NameSuburbLocation CodeLot NumberLTO PlanPartTenure
200 05706 109ESPLANADEDARWIN CITY2005706 - - Freehold
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Status Explanations
   

Nomination Period - a nomination has been accepted by Heritage Branch, but has not yet been accepted by the Heritage Council; OR a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council but the place/object has not yet been subject to a heritage assessment.

Assessment Period - a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council and the place/object is in the process of being assessed.

Consultation Period - Heritage assessment has been completed and s24 of the Act has been instigated, ie comment has been sought on a proposal to declare the place/object.

Recommendation Period - the Heritage Council has made a recommendation to declare the place/object and the Minister's final decision is awaited.

Not Recommended - a decision has been made by the Heritage Council not to recommend to the Minister that a place/object be declared

Declared - the Minister has made a decision to declare the place/object

Refused - the Minister has refused to declare the place/object