Memorials
Relocations of the World War I and World War II memorials
When the Library moved from Phillip Street to the Federation’s Sussex Street premises, the Book of Remembrance and its cabinet were housed in the Department’s headquarters in Bridge Street. Federation President, Mr Barry Manefield, and the Librarian had agreed to this relocation apparently because of some difficulties associated with the daily servicing of the book.56
The soldier-teachers memorial woodcarving by Paul Beadle, unveiled and dedicated in the Federation Council Hall on 19 November 1955, accompanied the union to its new headquarters in Sussex Street.
As noted in the Preface, when the headquarters of the Department of School Education moved from Bridge Street, the war memorials in the safe-keeping of the Department were relocated in 1990 to the Fanny Cohen Memorial Hall on Observatory Hill. Teachers Federation President Phil Cross, in his role as Co-Patron with the Director-General of the Teachers Sub-Branch, RSL referred to this as follows in his 1993 ANZAC Day address:
When I took on the role [as Co-Patron], it also coincided with the ‘sale’ of Bridge Street and the need to move the World War I and World War II memorials to another site. After considerable lobbying by the sub-branch and pressure from Ray Cavenagh (who actually measured up Federation House for the memorials), Fenton Sharpe [the Director-General] located the memorials in the field studies centre on Observatory Hill.57
When a decision was made to return the Department to Bridge Street, the Director-General, Dr Ken Boston, made it one of his major goals to achieve the return in time for the ANZAC Day service on 25 April 1996. An associated goal was the prominent positioning of the memorials in the new atrium, the surrounding area and in the Bridge Street foyer. These goals were achieved.
A capacity audience gathered in the large atrium for the service which had an added significance. Many present had been heartened by the return of the memorials dedicated to the fallen and their returned colleagues to the historic centre of public education in New South Wales.
While the word “rededication” was not used, there was an atmosphere of enhanced solemnity about the occasion. In addition, the Director-General and his staff, in association with the President of the Teachers Sub-Branch, RSL, Mr Geoff Falkenmire, and his officers, had devoted considerable time, effort and resources towards making this a most memorable occasion.
A little over four years later the movement of the Teachers Federation from Sussex Street to new premises in Mary Street, Surry Hills, required a decision by John Hennessy, the General Secretary, concerning the placement of the World War I and II memorial sculpture in the new building.
It was decided to re-dedicate the memorial in the Federation Library on 18 April 2000. The re-dedication was performed by the NSW Teachers Federation President, Sue Simpson, supported by John Hennessy.58
The memorial was interpreted and described by Tom Spencer, Treasurer, Teachers Sub-Branch, RSL, after which Sue Simpson spoke of the re-dedication and performed the unveiling. Joan Fisher, Vice-President of the Teachers Sub-Branch, RSL, recited the Ode between the “Last Post” and “Reveille” to complete the dedication.
It was pleasing to see Teachers Federation members and staff, and ex-service teachers gathered together for the solemn ceremony.
After the very worthy re-dedication by the Co-Patron of the Teachers Sub-Branch of the RSL and Teachers Federation President, Sue Simpson and John Hennessy, on behalf of the Teachers Federation, hosted afternoon tea, allowing social intercourse between the present and the past teacher ex-service personnel.