A New Icon for the Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is renowned as one of the most spectacular drives in the world. A new life-sized statue will be unveiled along the road in April to pay tribute to the courage and mateship of the men who created it.
2007 is the 75th anniversary of the opening of the road and a most fitting time to unveil this work that will remind people that while the road is one of the great tourist journeys, it was first and foremost a war memorial.
The road was carved from the rocky cliffs and bluffs along Victoria's beautiful but rugged south west coast between 1919 and 1932 by more than 3000 returned soldiers and sailors in honour of their comrades who fell in the First World War.
The sculpture has been funded from the trust fund set up after the death of the former Mayor of Geelong, Howard Hitchcock, who was also a major fund-raiser for the original road. Hitchcock - known as the Father of the Road - died just before the official opening in November 1932.
The sculpture is being modelled by prominent Melbourne based sculptor Julie Squires, who spent weeks researching the history of the road and its brave builders before beginning her work.
"I think it is very important that all generations of Australians are aware that it was borne out of great sacrifice. This memorial will achieve that in the most stunning and poignant way - a graphic representation of the mateship that built not only this road, but our nation," said Roger Grant, Chairman of Great Ocean Road Marketing.
The statue is expected to be unveiled close to Anzac Day, 25 April 2007.
For further Information contact Roger Grant on 0417 373 318.