Dawn Service 2021

The Gundaroo Community Association Village Monuments Sub-Committee oversees Gundaroo’s public monuments, including the War Memorial, the Clemenger Memorial and the most recently installed – the Commemorative Avenue of trees  on the southern approach to the village. It also organises the ANZAC Day Dawn Service each year. 

The Commemorative Avenue was established in May 2021 when the Sub-Committee, supported by local contractors, planted 40 Pin Oaks (Quercus Palustris) on the verges of  the road between the Gundaroo bridge and Back Creek Road.  This arboreal commemorative planting joins 568 other known commemorative plantings around Australia and represents those from our community who have served, those currently in active service and those who’ll serve in the future. The trees will grow into a magnificent feature and provide a long-lasting legacy for future generations of Gundaroo residents.

Gundaroo’s two more traditional memorials are located on adjacent corners of Cork and Harp Street.  The Clemenger memorial was erected in 1919 and the War Memorial dedicated in November 1920.

The Clemenger memorial is dedicated to William Ralph Clemenger who was the village’s telegraph operator and postmaster from 1882 until his death in 1918.  “Clem” was a driving force behind the social and cultural events in the village.  The memorial was rejuvenated by the Gundaroo Historical Society for the centenary of his passing.  More details can be found at https://gundaroohistoricalsociety.com/2018/07/03/remembering-w-r-clemenger/

The War Memorial is a concrete and marble obelisk bearing dedications and honour rolls, surrounded by the original cast iron fence.  It was constructed by a Queanbeyan stonemason called  Bryant.

The community has been active in keeping the Memorial alive with a significant restoration in 1980; another in 2005-6 when more names were added and again in 2018 in when further work by locals brought it up to its present condition.

The work in 2005-6 expanded the Honour Roll to include the names of local servicemen and women from all conflicts from the Boer War to the present day and is updated as necessary.

The Memorial is the core of the annual Dawn Service held each ANZAC day.  This year the Dawn Service go ahead after a two-year intermission caused by COVID-19 and insurance issues. The service starts at 5.30am.

The Village Monuments Sub Committee is a small team of volunteers that relies on support from the Gundaroo Community Association, local contractors and the community. 

For feedback or membership enquiries, please contact Phil Gaden by visiting our Gundaroo Featured Page here.

The Commemorative Avenue of Pin Oak trees was established in May 2021 on the verges of the southern entrance to the village between Back Creek Road and the Gundaroo bridge.

The War Memorial Anzac Day 2021.

Armistice Day parade in Gundaroo in 1918.

Clemenger Memorial circa 1919.

The restored Clemenger Memorial in 2018 with members of his family.


A selection of photos from the 2021 Dawn Service.

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