WWI Memorials and Air Raid Shelter

WWI memorials

While a seemingly small town, Sarina’s pride and patriotism is a focal point of their history and community spirit, as displayed in their WWI memorials. Paid for through public donations, the town’s soldier statue was erected for the 1919 Anzac Day ceremonies in commemoration of the 114 Sarina Shire residents who enlisted.

Crafted by Townsville monumental masons Melrose and Fenwick, Sarina's soldier stands head slightly bowed, hands crossed over a reversed rifle, which is resting on his left boot. The soldier stands above a pedestal with a plaque naming the 24 locals who died in WWI.

Similar plaques have been added to honour those who fought in subsequent conflicts: WWII, Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam.

Lest we forget.

Air Raid Shelter

The Sarina Air Raid Shelter, a public air raid shelter built by the Sarina Shire Council in 1942, demonstrates the impacts of Japan’s entry into World War II (WWII) on Queensland’s civilian population, and the urgent Air Raid Precaution measures undertaken in 1941-42.

Although hundreds of public air raid shelters were constructed during 1942 in Queensland, few survive intact. The Sarina Air Raid Shelter is one of the most intact public air raid shelters of its type (‘T’ shaped with toilet closets) in Queensland.

The existing features of the shelter include the reinforced concrete floor, walls and roof; angled corners to the floor and roof; air vents; two entrances; two toilet closets; two internal blast walls with lamp recesses; and evidence of its internal rows of bench seating.

Sarina's war memorials and air raid shelter are found in the central median strip, where two major regional roads meet, the Bruce Highway and the Marlborough Sarina Road.