National Boer War Memorial banner

Ceremonial places allow us to connect with our collective histories and to reflect on the values that define our culture.

The purpose of the National Boer War Memorial is to increase awareness and understanding of what is often referred to as ‘the forgotten war’. The National Boer War Memorial is located on the ceremonial axis of the Anzac Parade in Canberra and was dedicated on Wednesday 31 May 2017. Our approach to design, which we undertook collaboratively with public artist Jane Cavanough, is a synthesis of landscape and sculpture.

The memorial is unique on the Parade as it integrates the figurative sculptures into a landscape setting which is characterised by a rocky, undulating landform with sparse, arid planting, framed by hand-forged copper walls. The four bronze sculptures of mounted Troopers, created by the distinguished sculptor Louis Laumen, are the centrepiece of the memorial. A layering of interpretation is provided through cast bronze diaries set into the front wall, history text, and a poem extract from Boer War Correspondent, Banjo Paterson.  The figurative sculptures along with the personal diary extracts bring humanity to the memorial creating a connection to an important part of our history from the time of Australia’s Federation.

"The memorial reflects on our national history which predates Federation"

Client: National Boer War Memorial Association for the National Capital Authority

Studio: Sydney, Australia

Key Facts: 1200m2

Location: Canberra, ACT

Traditional Custodians of the Land: Ngunnawal

Awards :

  • AILA WE-EF 2018 – After Dark, Lighting Design Award

Photography: Ben Wrigley

Photography: Ben Wrigley
Photography: Ben Wrigley
Photography: Ben Wrigley
Photography: Ben Wrigley
Photography: Ben Wrigley
Photography: Ben Wrigley
Photography: Ben Wrigley
Photography: Ben Wrigley
Photography: Ben Wrigley

Professionals used in
National Boer War Memorial

About the
Professional

For people. For place. For Country.
GroupGSA is a global architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and urban design studio, backed by the collective strength and creativity of 230+ design experts across four studios in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Ho Chi Minh City.

For 40+ years, GroupGSA has designed and delivered visionary projects for people, place and brands with outstanding client experiences. We offer multidisciplinary design services with expertise in Living Environments; Workplace & Commercial; Education; Cities and Places; Cultural; Hospitality; Mixed-Use, Retail and Industrial; and Transport, Infrastructure & Defence.

We value diverse thinking, collaborative working and innovative project delivery.

At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.