Anzac service at restored memorial

Residents of Empire Bay will hold an Anzac Day service at the town's restored memorial at 11am on Monday, April 25.

The service will be followed by a waterfront sausage sizzle.

The Empire Bay Progress Association received $4000 from the Federal Commemoration Grants in December 2003 to restore the memorial.

By Anzac Day last year, the stone memorial had a new engraved sandstone plinth, and the concrete base was reinforced.

Sandstone blocks were placed on each side of the memorial with plaques attached commemorating the fallen from the two World Wars, the Korean, Malaysian and Vietnam conflicts and peacekeeping forces.

The garden was planted around the edge with rosemary, westringia and iceberg roses.

Since then, the poles around the inner circle of the garden have been removed, and paving laid over the concrete area with brick edging around the garden.

Additional funding has come from the community, the progress association, individuals and the Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club.

Empire Bay Progress Association representative Ms Shirley Crocker said Gosford Council gave free technical advice and two tradesmen donated their time to lay the paving stones and garden edging."

"Funds permitting, we envisage placing two plaques in the garden honouring Gosford Council for its assistance and the Empire Bay Public School for rosemary plantings.

"We also hope to install solar panel lighting around the memorial."

Press release, March 28 Shirley Crocker, Empire Bay Progress Association