Australian American Memorial and Sir Thomas Blamey Square Heritage Management Plan

The Memorial comprises a sandstone podium and hollow octagonal column with a stylised American eagle and sphere. The column is topped with a bronze sphere and aluminium eagle sculpture. The wings of the eagle are spread into a V shape, symbolic of victory. Blamey Square forms the foreground setting for the Memorial which is centralised along the south-eastern boundary of the square.

The immediate setting of the Memorial and Blamey Square is the Russell Offices precinct, with the extended setting of the area being Canberra’s National Triangle. They also visually represent the terminus of the Kings Avenue vista and the eastern apex of the National Triangle.

Heritage Values

The significance of the Australian-American Memorial is its symbolic representation of Australian gratitude to American service personnel for their contribution to the defence of Australia during World War Two. The Memorial occupies a key position in the geometry of the Parliamentary Triangle as a Canberra landmark.

Sir Thomas Blamey Square and the buildings facing it provide an appropriate setting for the Memorial and combine with it to form a precinct of aesthetic significance.

To read more about the Australian American Memorial and Sir Thomas Blamey Square heritage values and to view the statutory listing please visit the Australian Heritage Database.

Preparation of a Heritage Management plan

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), all Commonwealth agencies are required to prepare management plans for Commonwealth Heritage listed and nominated places under their management. The purpose of this management plan is to identify, protect and manage the heritage values of the Australian American Memorial and Sir Thomas Blamey Square. This management plan was prepared in accordance with the Commonwealth Heritage management principles and the requirements under the EPBC Act.

This management plan was reviewed by the Australian Heritage Council.

For further information, please contact the NCA on heritage@nca.gov.au or 02 6271 2888.