A Geelong region artist has been selected to design and create a permanent
memorial to remember people who have lost their lives on Victorian roads.
Ocean Grove’s Don Walters’ concept ‘Solace’ was chosen from a pool of
high-quality submissions to create the public memorial, which will be
located in Geelong.
The memorial will have a permanent home along the picturesque eastern
Geelong waterfront, off Hearne Parade, where the views will provide a
peaceful place for remembering.
Mr Walters’ design uses the moon as a metaphor for the changing emotions
experienced by those who experience loss through road trauma.
The memorial and its design will create a place for all people affected by
road trauma to visit and remember their loved ones, as well as raising awareness
for support networks Road Trauma Support Services Victoria and Synod of
Victoria and Tasmania, Uniting Church of Australia.
The Transport Accident Commission has partnered with the City of Greater
Geelong to deliver the road trauma memorial project with support from RTSSV
and UCAVT.
The City of Greater Geelong will also carry out landscaping works, such as
planting and shading, to the surrounding area to create a welcoming space
with all-abilities access.
Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC Jaala
Pulford
When people die on the road it can be so hard to find a peaceful place to
sit and remember. This memorial will be a place for children, parents,
partners, family and friends to visit and connect with their greatly loved
and missed person. Road trauma has a widespread and permanent impact on the loved ones and
communities left behind by a death or impacted by serious injury to someone
they know.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
This memorial will be a peaceful and comforting space for the local
community and visitors to reflect on those killed and seriously injured on
our roads.
Cr Kylie Grzybek, Chair, Community Health and Safety portfolio
The City of the Greater Geelong is proud to partner with the
TAC and State Government to create an art memorial for road trauma. The City has also allowed extra funding for landscaping to
ensure the memorial is a place which people can visit and remember loved ones
who have been lost.
