Our memorial to Airborne Forces is located a few yards to the east of the Shrine of Remembrance in St. Kilda Road, which is at the heart of the city of Melbourne, in the State of Victoria, Australia.
The Brass Plate, the centre piece of the Memorial, is one of three identical Plates. One other belongs to the South Australian Branch of the British Airborne Forces, the third was presented to The Parachute Regimental Association and hangs at the entrance to Browning Barracks, Aldershot.
It was at the instigation of the South Australian branch, that the plaques were made, and it fell to our then Vice President, Mr John Owens, to search for a suitable home for this Memorial. After a meeting with the Shrine Trustees and their President, Mr Peter Isaacson, permission was granted to erect it in the precinct of the Shrine.
Through various contacts, John was put in touch with Mr Frank Gasporini, a retired stonemason, living in Langwarren, who agreed to help our cause. He knew the principals of "Leighton Industries", at Harcourt, south of Bendigo. They donated the two granite blocks, free of charge, which were delivered to one of their depots in Melbourne and stored at Ray Hinchcliffe's scrap metal yard.
The two blocks were in their rough, virgin state; so John and Frank, proceeded to carve them into shape, completely by hand. After a solid day of carving, which entailed the removal of 2.5 cwt. of stone chips, the job was completed. The monument stands today, as a lasting tribute to their fine effort.
John Owens then, with the assistance of fellow Members, Ray Hinchcliffe, Bill Halliwell, Bill Mitchell, Sid Jones, Les Mellor, Dennis Capper and Wally Gee proceeded to install the stone at its present location.
The Memorial was officially unveiled on the 17th of September 1984, the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, with many dignitaries and guests attending.
The tribute paid to John Owens, then, for his unselfish zeal and dedication to the acquisition, manufacture and transportation of the Monument, was both warm and sincere . To John, Mr Frank Gasporini, for all the help that he contributed and to Leighton Industries, for their donation of the granite blocks, and to the many members whose contribution made this all possible, we dedicate this tribute, now.
Today, our Monument serves as a reminder of the sacrifice that Members of the Airborne Forces of all Commonwealth countries have made, still make and will continue to make, in the cause of freedom and democracy.
If you are ever in our fair city of Melbourne, we invite you to visit our Shrine. If you then make yourself known, you may be assured of a warm and generous welcome.
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