Avenue of honour opened in Murray Bridge on Remembrance Day 2025
Tributes have been paid to generations of servicemen and women at a November 11 service at Sturt Reserve.
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More than 60 people have attended the opening of Murray Bridge’s new avenue of honour, War Memorial Walk, at Sturt Reserve on Remembrance Day.
The attendees comprised veterans from several campaigns, their families and members of the community keen to see the fruition of a project championed by many over quite a long period of time.
Murray Bridge council CEO Heather Barclay emceed the event, where speakers included Mayor Wayne Thorley, federal MP Tony Pasin and Murray Bridge RSL president Rod Harris.
Mr Thorley spoke about the history behind the project.
“Murray Bridge took a long time to create a memorial, especially one that features a modern interpretation of what our society considers important today,” he said.
“The memorial walk reflects the level of respect that our community offers to past generations.”
Mr Pasin spoke passionately about the need to remember the sacrifices made by past generations of our defence forces, many of whom gave up their futures for ours.
He emphasised the need to continue to support them throughout our community.
“The memorial walk is a great credit to the Rural City of Murray Bridge and to the Murray Bridge RSL,” he said.
“I’m honoured to have played a small role in securing the funding that ensured the memorial and avenue of honour could be established to honour the legacy of Australian diggers from this community for generations to come.”
Mr Harris explained that the process to finish the original scope of works had begun in earnest more than three years ago.
A grant of $83,500 from the federal Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which was closely supported by the Rural City of Murray Bridge, secured the completion of the works.
The opening of the Avenue of Honour concluded with an official ribbon cutting and was followed by a traditional Remembrance Day commemoration, including a minute of silence at 11am when the guns fell silent 107 years ago.
The ceremony paid particular tribute to veterans from World War II, which ended 80 years ago.
Wreaths were laid by the Murray Bridge RSL, Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick, Mr Pasin, Mr Thorley, students from Murray Bridge High School, Legacy SA, representatives of Senator Marielle Smith and veterans from the Afghanistan campaign.
