Progress Report: Veterans Commemorative Gardens Project
Introduction
The Veteran’s Commemorative Gardens, to be situated within the Eastern Park Gardens of Geelong, is an ambitious project dedicated to honouring and reflecting on the sacrifices made by Veterans, their families, and their carers. This serene sanctuary will feature three interconnected memorials: the Veteran’s Garden, the Family/Mothers Garden, and the Tranquillity Garden. Designed to be a harmonious and contemplative space, the memorial gardens aim to celebrate the selflessness and dedication of Veterans while providing an inclusive environment for all visitors.
Project Overview
The winning proposal for the Veterans Commemorative Gardens is “The Path to Unity”, submitted by Ms Isabella Crunuck from RMIT School of Landscape Architecture. This project represented a unique opportunity for emerging designers to integrate functional design with commemorative elements, ensuring the space serves both as a tribute and a community asset. Ms. Crunuck’s design met all of the project’s criteria, showcasing creativity, sensitivity, and practicality
Design Concepts
The Path to Unity is a memorial site designed to minimise the separation between those who have been directly impacted by war and conflict and those who have not. The project integrates seamlessly into the existing topography and conditions of the site, forming two distinct terraces: the upper and lower terrace. At the central focus of the design is the Veterans Memorial. The design, balances aesthetic beauty with practical functionality. The innovative ideas include:
Upper Terrace: Visitors enter the memorial from the upper terrace, which leads them through a gradually sloping field of wild flowers to the Family/Mothers Garden. This space utilises water, circular seating, and flowers to create a reflective environment. It also encourages central congregation, making it a space suitable for events throughout the year. We envision the Family/MothersGarden as a space for all members of the community to reflect on the sacrifices made by families and the broader community.
Veterans Garden: From the Family Gardfen, visitors gradually descend to the Veterans Garden. The design uses thoughtful material choices to evoke reverence and reflection. The surrounding walls will be engraved with information about areas of conflict, the evolution of military support, and stories of Veterans. This feature aims to encourage visitors to reflect on the personal experiences of those being memorialised. As visitors move toward the lower terrace, the space evokes a transition from beauty to contemplation, providing an immersive and personal experience.
Lower Terrace: The lower terrace preserves the site’s existing landscape and offers a space for visitors to linger in reflection. The design shifts depending on one’s approach: the northern end emphasises the progression from beauty to reflection, while the southern end allows visitors to reflect first and then experience the healing presence of mothers, families, and the broader community.
Conclusion
The Veterans Commemorative Gardens is a project of great significance, and we are excited to see the creative and thoughtful solutions that Ms. Crunuck has brought to life in her proposal. We now move forward to the next stage: the development of full-scale drawings and working documents. We hope that you are as excited about The Path to Unity as we are and look forward to the continued progress of this meaningful project.