FIRST Nations people who fought in conflicts from tribal disputes to world wars will be honoured in a memorial in Queens Park.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding announced a start to construction on Friday for a memorial she described as a place for reflection, education and healing in honour of First Nations men and women who lost their lives in conflicts throughout history.
Mayor Harding said the Queens Park Ceremonial, Healing and Remembrance Place commemorated the sacrifices of First Nations men and women, as well as the cultural significance of the Queens Park area.
“The Queens Park Ceremonial, Healing and Remembrance Place is an important step in the ongoing process of reconciliation,” Cr Harding said. “This project acknowledges the history and cultural significance of this area for Indigenous people and provides a space for reflection, education and healing for the whole community.
“Ceremonies, initiations and ritualised fights played an important part of traditional Aboriginal society and dispute resolution, and the areas within and nearby to Queens Park are regarded as culturally significant places to the traditional owners of the Ipswich region.
“This history will be recognised in the new Queens Park Ceremonial, Healing and Remembrance Place and I’m pleased ground has been broken for what will be a place of sombre reflection and healing for the whole community.
“This initiative was called for in Council’s City of Ipswich Indigenous Accord 2020-25, highlighting our commitment to acting for reconciliation, cultural inclusion and respectful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.”
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairman Andrew Antoniolli said the Queens Park Ceremonial, Healing and Remembrance Place had been designed with input from the community, including First Nations representatives.
“Design elements such as totem poles, sculptures and a circular performance space are the result of many years of engagement with First Nations communities.
“The land on and surrounding what is now known as Queens Park is a place of cultural significance for the Yagara People, as the site of two bora grounds. Bora grounds were used for a variety of functions including dispute settlement, councils of war and social organisation, initiation, rituals, ceremonies and corroborees.
“Not only will this space bring awareness to an important part of our shared history, but it will serve as a place for the whole of community to gather in reflection and healing.”
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said the memorial would sit prominently on the corner of Chermside Rd and Alexander Munro Ave.
