Greater Shepparton City Council agreed on a new location for the installation of the Light Horse Brigade Memorial, featuring Sir Murray Bourchier, at the June Council Meeting.
The Memorial will now be erected in the north west corner of the Queen’s Gardens, Shepparton, after it was originally planned to be installed in Monash Park.
Sculpture of the statue is currently underway, with the aim of having it installed in early 2021.
The Shepparton RSL sub-branch first approached Council in 2008, proposing to develop a memorial for Sir Murray Bourchier.
The Sir Murray Bourchier Advisory Committee formed in 2010, made up of representatives of the RSL, Council and interested community members, with the intention of seeking funding for a memorial.
In March 2019, the Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, Darren Chester, announced Greater Shepparton City Council was successful in obtaining funding to commemorate the Light Horse Brigade featuring Sir Murray Bourchier and the Battle of Beersheba. Works have since commenced on constructing the life-size sculpture.
The Sir Murray Bourchier Advisory Committee and Council officers considered the location of Monash Park, but believed the Queen’s Gardens would be more suitable due to its close proximity to the War Memorial, being on the route taken for respective marches, accessibility, prominence and availability of adjacent parking.
“The Light Horse Memorial featuring Sir Murray Bourchier is an important symbol to recognise the Battle of Beersheba and Sir Murray Bourchier’s contribution,” Mayor Cr Seema Abdullah said
“The project has received wide community support and will be a significant feature of our local history.
“Council is glad we were able to work with the members of the Sir Murray Bourchier Advisory Committee to reach a great outcome for the community. We can’t wait to see the Memorial erected in the Queen’s Gardens.”
