Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park

The Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park is the principal war memorial of New South Wales. It is a living monument to service and sacrifice and a significant cultural and civic space.

The Memorial was built in the early 1930s to perpetuate the memory of the men and women from New South Wales who served in the First World War and to be a place of comfort for those who had lost loved ones. The design and construction was a partnership between architect Charles Bruce Dellit and George Rayner Hoff, renowned English artist living in Sydney.

The two foundation stones were laid on 19 July 1932 and the Memorial was dedicated on 24 November 1934. The official opening was performed by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, at a ceremony witnessed by approximately 100,000 people. The milestone event was covered in detail by The Sydney Morning Herald on 26 November. In his speech, the Duke declared:

To the glory of God, and in honoured memory of the men and women of New South Wales who gave their lives, and in gratitude to all who left this State to serve the Empire in the Great War, I unveil this Anzac Memorial.

In 1984, following a proposal by the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial, the Anzac Memorial (Building) Act 1923 was amended to enable the Memorial to be rededicated for all Australians who serve their country. On 30 November 1984, just days after the memorial’s 50th anniversary, the Governor of New South Wales, His Excellency Sir James Anthony Rowland, K.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C., K.St.J. performed the rededication and unveiled a plaque recording the event. 

Learn more: Anzac Memorial – The history of the Anzac Memorial

Interior design and features

The Memorial includes several architecturally and artistically designed areas, the most notable of which are The Hall of Silence, The Hall of Memory, and The Hall of Service. The Hall of Service was added in 2018 as the centrepiece of the ‘Centenary Extension’ renovations, to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War. It features a major installation by Australian artist Fiona Hall, which consists of 1,701 soil samples, representing the home addresses given by First World War enlistees. All three areas are described in detail on the Anzac Memorial's website.

The visual focal point of the Memorial is the beautiful and moving bronze sculpture ‘Sacrifice’, which stands in the centre of the Hall of Silence. The artwork depicts the recumbent figure of a young warrior, who has made the supreme sacrifice. His naked body lies upon a shield, which is supported by three women: his mother, wife, and sister. In the arms of one of the women is a child, representing the future generations for whom the sacrifice has been made. 

The Memorial's Centenary Extension also features education and exhibition spaces, which include interactive educational displays, artworks, photographs, and memorabilia from those who served. The Memorial has a collection of more than 7,000 items related to the service of NSW men and women. 

Learn more:
Anzac Memorial – The Hall of Silence
Anzac Memorial – The Hall of Memory
Anzac Memorial – The Hall of Service

Exterior design and features

The exterior of the Memorial is a work of art in itself, mixing Gothic architectural elements with Art Deco styling. High above street level, the façade features 20 sculpted figures representing the units of the Australian Imperial Force: the Army, Navy, Flying and Medical Corps.

Positioned above the eastern and western entrance doors are two bronze bas reliefs, depicting scenes from the First World War. The first relief depicts soldiers during the Eastern Campaigns and the second represents the Western Front.

To the north of the Memorial is the Pool of Reflection and on the southern side is the water feature and forecourt area known as the Cascade. The Cascade was originally planned by Dellit in the 1930s; however, was not built at the time due to budgetary restraints caused by the Depression. His vision was realised more than 80 years later when the Centenary Extension was officially opened on 20 October 2018, by His Royal Highness Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex.

Learn more: Anzac Memorial – The memorial’s exterior

Location

The Memorial is located in Hyde Park South, in Sydney's CBD. An accessible walkway is provided via the Cascade entrance, facing Liverpool Street.

Visitor and other information

Information about visiting the memorial is available on the Anzac Memorial's website.

See the ‘Related links’ section below to learn more about the history and main features of the memorial.

Acknowledgement

Special thanks to the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial for contributing information and photographs for this page.