Historical information

These photographs, taken by The Advocate in 1991, record the dedication of the Memorial Gardens at the Sunshine RSL Dickson Street, Sunshine by RAAF Chaplain Wing Commander Peter Davidson from Base Williams, Laverton.

The garden features a propeller, a gun, and an anchor, each symbolising one of the three branches of the Australian Armed Services. The propeller is from a RAAF Dakota, the gun is an Ack‑Ack from the Second World War, and the anchor was supplied by the Royal Australian Navy.

Significance

These gardens are important because they form a physical, symbolic, and ceremonial space honouring all three branches of Australia’s armed services, created and dedicated by the local veteran community, and used as a focal point for remembrance in Sunshine.

Physical description

Digital scans of black and white negatives

Inscriptions & markings

Anchor, propellor and gun launch in the gardens 99 Dickson Street Sunshine RSL 559.1

6854.01 - Sunshine RSL Dickson Street Sunshine Anchor, Propellor And Gun Launch 1991 Photographs.JPG
L - R Bob Brown (Wing Commander No 1 Stores Tottenham), Richard Wright (Sunshine RSL President), Mrs Lucy Heap (Member of the State Executive of the RSL), Peter Davidson (RAAF Chaplain Wing Commander, Base Williams, Laverton)

6854.02 - Sunshine RSL Dickson Street Sunshine Anchor, Propellor And Gun Launch 1991 Photographs.JPG
L - R Mrs Lucy Heap (Member of the State Executive of the RSL), Richard Wright (Sunshine RSL President)