Memorial seats unveiled on Torquay foreshore

THE carved wooden seats commissioned to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice are now available for the community to use, with the Torquay RSL unveiling them last week at Fishermans Beach.

The seats, carved by local artist Mark Trinham, were funded through a $4,500 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs and officially unveiled by Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson and Torquay RSL president Bob Tyler, and then blessed by Major Peter Ellis from the Salvation Army.

Mr Tyler thanked Mr Trinham for meeting the brief provided by Torquay RSL in designing
the seats.

“We hope these seats will convey a message of peace and service.”

Ms Henderson said the location of the seats at Fishermans Beach was a beautiful place to sit and to contemplate.

“We understand how important commemorative symbols like this are, and commemorative projects right across this electorate and of course right across this nation.”

The benches have the words “lest we forget” and “to all that have served”, as well as depictions of the Anzac Rising Sun badge and the Remembrance poppy.

Mr Trinham said it was unusual for his work to contain words or plaques, but he made an exception this time given the significance of the occasion.

The new seats at Fisherman’s Beach are located only about 100 metres from another pair of memorial seats also carved by Mr Trinham as a commission for a local family.