Waroona War Memorial to be relocated to Railside Park from current South Western Highway-fronting site

Waroona’s War Memorial will soon have a new home.

The Shire of Waroona is set to relocate the memorial from a grassed reserve on the corner of South Western Highway and Parnell Street to the under-construction Railside Park.

Shire president Mike Walmsley said there had been questions about the current location for several years, with challenges including the closure of the highway on Anzac Day and vehicle noise during Remembrance Day services.

“These issues prompted discussions with the former Waroona-Hamel RSL about the possibility of finding a new, central location for the Waroona War Memorial that would suitably honour our veterans and host more dignified commemorative events,” he said.

The memorial will be relocated next to the new park’s open lawn area, with Cr Walmsley noting parades will now take place along Fouracre Street rather than the town’s main thoroughfare.

“The new location fulfills all the necessary criteria for providing a dignified and respectful space for formal ceremonies, moments of quiet reflection, and the honouring of our veterans,” he said.

Relocation is set to occur later this month, with Friday’s Remembrance Day service the last major service to be held at the current location.