Eternal Flame, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Posted by: 
Tealby
S 35° 16.842 E 149° 08.934
55H E 695434 N 6093710
Eternal Flame in the Pool of Reflection in the courtyard of the Australian War Memorial.
Waymark Code: WM26V1
Location: Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date Posted: 09/13/2007
Views: 108
From the website (www.awm.gov.au):
A flame is widely accepted as a symbol of eternal life. An eternal flame at a war memorial symbolizes a nation's perpetual gratitude towards, and remembrance of, its war dead.
The Eternal Flame is a sculptural feature of the Pool of Reflection in the courtyard of the Australian War Memorial. It is a perpetual reminder of the service and sacrifice of more than 100,000 Australians who have given their lives in war.
A water cascade had previously been installed (in 1978), but the noise proved disruptive to the peaceful surroundings of the Commemorative Area. Following an offer of a donation of an eternal flame by the Australian Gas Association (AGL), Council approved the plan for its installation in 1986.
The Eternal Flame was a bicentennial gift from AGL, which also sponsors it, in conjunction with Santos Limited, AGL, and East Australian Pipelines Limited (EAPL).
The Memorial received assistance in the formulation of a design for the Eternal Flame from the National Capital Development Authority, who engaged the architectural firm Denton, Corker and Marshall to design, document and supervise construction of architectural works associated with the Eternal Flame. Les Kossatz, from Melbourne, was the sculptor of the original prototype for the flame brazier, which was installed at water level, thereby giving the impression that the flame comes from the water. Two small plaques giving brief information are sited in the stone paving surrounding the Pool of Reflection near the flame
There are two plaques set into the stonework surrounding the Pool of Reflection:
The Eternal Flame
A gift to the nation from the Australia gas industry on the occasion of Australia's Bicentenary. Lit by His Excellency The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen, AK GCMG GCVO KBE, Governor-General of Australia
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