Canon Garland's Memorial digital story

By JOL Admin | 11 September 2017

https://vimeo.com/channels/qanzac100/231033082

State Library recently commissioned a digital story which explores the contribution and significance of Anglican priest and army chaplain Canon David John Garland during the First World War. The story also focuses on the tireless work of the Canon Garland Memorial Society, which was formed in 2013 to plan, design and fund a permanent memorial in Garland's memory, as part of Queensland’s centenary commemorations for World War 1.

Canon David John Garland was a senior army chaplain at the Enoggera training camp in Brisbane, and as Honorary Secretary of the Queensland Recruiting Committee, he traveled the state encouraging men to enlist. Later in the war he traveled to Egypt, and served in the Middle East from 1917 to 1919, raising funds for memorials, and for soldiers’ hostels both home and abroad to provide places of safe respite. Garland was heavily involved with the Bible in State Schools League in Queensland, but is most notably acknowledged as the 'architect of Anzac Day'. As Honorary Secretary of the Anzac Day Commemoration Committee, he was an important originator of Anzac Day as a day of solemn and enduring commemoration. From 1920, as Rector of Ithaca Parish, he broadcast Sunday services on public radio until he passed away in 1939.

The Canon Garland Memorial Society Inc. is a not-for-profit, community-based volunteer group, and was formed in Brisbane to seek public and government support to honour Canon Garland and commemorate the origins of Anzac Day. The Society has undertaken a variety of activities to raise funds for a suitable memorial, and on 22 April 2016, the Canon Garland Memorial - Anzac Day Origins was officially unveiled, dedicated and handed over to the People of the City of Brisbane at Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, Kangaroo Point. The Memorial was designed by renowned sculptor Dr. Rhyl Hinwood AM, and was erected next to St. Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point.