Shellharbour Village War Memorial. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
As the Illawarra prepares to pause at 11 am on Tuesday (11 November) for Remembrance Day, RSL sub-branches will conduct commemorative services to honour those who gave their lives in service to Australia.
The solemn occasion marks the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front in 1918, bringing an end to World War I.
Many will gather around cenotaphs, statues, archways and memorial walls, monuments often built by community groups or the families of those who gave service during the First or Second World Wars.
For others, it may be as simple as wearing a poppy to show veterans and their families they are not forgotten, or having a moment of silence at 11 am.
As we mark Remembrance Day, here’s your guide to some of the sites where you can commemorate the day — and the stories behind some of the region’s most significant war memorials.
Remembrance Day Services
Cenotaph Wollongong
MacCabe Park, Church Street, Wollongong
10:45 – 11:45 am
A commemorative service by the City of Wollongong RSL sub-Branch will take place at the Wollongong Cenotaph, a grand sandstone arch first unveiled in 1923 within the McCabe Park Memorial Complex. The cenotaph features marble plaques and sculptures — including figures carved by Varney Parkes, son of former NSW premier Sir Henry Parkes. Originally located outside the old council chambers, it was moved to MacCabe Park in 1984, where it now forms the heart of the city’s remembrance services.
Last Post Garden, Dapto
Lakeside Memorial Park, 230 Kanahooka Road, Dapto
10:30 – 11:30 am
Nestled within the peaceful Lakeside Memorial Park Cemetery and Crematorium, Dapto’s memorial area honours ex-servicemen and women with inscribed plaques affixed to stone walls throughout the garden. At its centre stands a granite bush rock bearing inscriptions, plaques, and a single rosemary bush planted on Remembrance Day 2007. Nearby, a bronze plaque featuring a battle scene marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Registrations have closed for this service, which is run in conjunction with the City of Wollongong RSL sub-Branch’s Dapto/Port Kembla chapter.
The Darcy King Memorial Garden, Albion Park
Hamilton Road and Illawarra Highway, Albion Park
10:30 am for 11 am service
This memorial, first established in 1959 and rededicated in 1985, was in memory of Albion Park RSL life member and long serving secretary and manager, Darcy King. Its v-shaped wall bears bronze plaques, military emblems and a bronze laurel wreath honouring fallen ex-service club members. Facing the main road are symbols from each service arm – a ship’s anchor, field gun and aircraft propeller. This year’s service by the Albion Park RSL sub-Branch will be followed by lunch and refreshments at the Albion Park RSL Club.
Kiama War Memorial Arch
Hindmarsh Park, Kiama
11 am service
Conducted by the Kiama Jamberoo RSL sub-Branch, it holds its service at the memorial arch. Kiama’s traditional triumphal arch memorial, built in the heart of Hindmarsh Park, commemorates those who served in the First World War. Later plaques were added for the Second World War. The site also features several bush rock memorials and the Gordon Grellman Wall of Remembrance, adorned with plaques honouring Kiama service men and women across generations.
The Thirroul war memorial. Photo: Guillaume David.
Other War Memorials of Note
Shellharbour Village War Memorial
Addison Street, Shellharbour Village
Standing tall in Caroline Chisholm Park in Addison Street, the Shellharbour Village War Memorial consists of a striking white marble monument on a concrete plinth. It pays tribute to service across multiple conflicts — from the Boer War to the Second World War. However, it’s most notable for including a plaque dedicated to four Australian veterans who died rescuing the crew of the Cities Service Boston tanker off Bass Point in 1943.
Thirroul War Memorial, Woodward Memorial Park
Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul
Considered the Illawarra’s oldest World War I monument, it was erected in 1919 and features a sandstone pedestal, water fountain, and a statue of a soldier holding a rifle. It also includes marble honour rolls, a Rising Sun emblem, and nearby plaques honouring local veterans. It hasn’t been without its challenges, after the memorial was hit and damaged by a truck in 1978. It was repaired, but the fountain ceased to function. In September this year, Austinmer-Thirroul RSL sub-Branch reported the rifle held by the soldier atop the monument had gone missing.
Balgownie War Memorial
Cnr Balgownie Road and Para Street, Balgownie
The Balgownie War Memorial was unveiled on 26 April 1930 after initial plans from 1919 fell through. The large trachyte monument features a vertical name panel and carved laurel wreaths on either side. Recently, the Corrimal RSL sub-Branch received $5963 in state funding for conservation works, including regilding inscriptions and repairing cracked stonework, ensuring this tribute continues to stand proudly for future generations.
Whether you attend a service, wear a poppy or pause in silence, Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who served — and to ensure their stories live on in the heart of every Illawarra community.
