Back to search results »

Back to search page »

Wye River Memorial

Location Great Ocean Road WYE RIVER, Colac Otway Shire File Number Original Hermes No: 45714 Level -

[1/2] 45714 WAR MEMORIAL CAIRN [2/2] WyeR 1.jpg

Statement of Significance

A local member of the Wye River community built the Second World War Memorial Cairn, located onthe south bank of Wye River on the Great Ocean Road, in the late 1940s. Local beach stones were used for the construction of the memorial. The Wye River War Memorial Cairn is of social and historic importance to the Shire of Colac Otway. The social and cultural associations of the War Memorial Cairn are demonstrated by the focus it provides for the Wye River and surrounding community in commemorating the loss of life caused by the Second Word War. The War Memorial Cairn is historically important for it association with the Second World War and for demonstrating the immediate and long­term impact the conflict had on small communities like that at Wye River. The War Memorial Cairn is also historically important in demonstrating the development of a community at Wye River, madepossible by the construction of the Great Ocean Road and its opening in 1932. The Cairn is also importantas a typical type of memorial cairn and is distinguished by its unusually detailed design and constructionand robust and dignified use of local materials.