Women’s War Memorial Gardens

Red Gum Park / Karrawirra (Park 12)

Did you know that this memorial was funded by the women of South Australia?

Anzac Day Service at Cross of Sacrifice, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1455, circa 1925

Cross of Sacrifice, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1470, ate unknown

Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens

The Women's War Memorial Gardens were constructed by South Australian women in remembrance of those who died in World War I. The design of the gardens was to be an open-air cathedral, with the walls formed by an olive hedge. Its layout reflects that of St Peter's Cathedral opposite.

The Kaurna people are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Adelaide Plains. The Women's War Memorial Gardens stand in part of a larger park called Karrawirra which means 'River Redgum Forest' in the Kaurna language. The language was last spoken on a daily basis in the 1860s, and has been revived in recent times based on dictionaries prepared by German missionaries around the time of settlement.

The Cross of Sacrifice and the Stone of Remembrance are the central features if the Women's War Memorial Gardens. The Stone is inscribed with the poet Kipling's words "Their Name liveth for Evermore". It was designed by prominent English architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944). His work included many monuments to commemorate the dead.

The Cross was carved by Adelaide master builder, Sir Walter Torode (1858-1937), who was also responsible for extensions to the Cathedral opposite.

City of Adelaide acknowledges the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today. We also extend that respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations.

Disclaimer: The information, map and materials contained in this database are for general information purposes only, and should not be relied on. The City of Adelaide make no warranties, representations or undertakings about any of the content of in this database (including, without limitation, any as to the quality, accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular purpose of such content), or any content of any other website referred to or accessed by hyperlinks through these web pages. The City of Adelaide expressly disclaims responsibility for any damages that may be caused by the contents of this database.