Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has said that Anzac Day will be an extra special occasion with the Kiama Memorial Arch celebrating 100 years since it was officially unveiled by then local MP and Premier of NSW, George Fuller.

Ward was joined by Gary McKay MC, OAM, President of the Kiama-Jamberoo RSL Sub Branch, at the Kiama Memorial Arch ahead of the centenary milestone.

“This is a very special centenary as the Kiama Memorial Arch was officially unveiled 100 years ago on 25 April 1925 by a former Premier of New South Wales, George Fuller. Mr Fuller was also our region’s local MP,” he said.

“The arch isn’t just a beautiful part of the entrance to our town, it commemorates so many who gave their lives in the service of our nation with many of the family names familiar to our district.

“The Kiama Memorial Arch centenary also highlights the timelessness of our core values which define the Anzac spirit – mateship, courage under fire, ingenuity, and endurance – and importantly, these stories live on through the Kiama Memorial Arch.”

The idea for the arch came from Colonel Colin Dunmore Fuller DSO, who was the younger brother of the Premier, who lived at Dunmore House. Colonel Fuller served in the 6th Light Horse Regiment.

The Kiama Memorial Arch has a large number of memorial plaques, including the Unveiling plaque from April 25 1925 and a plaque to mark the service of HMAS Kiama during World War II in the Pacific during 1944 and 1946.

Four panels bear the names of local citizens who have served Australia in times of War and conflict besides World War I..

The West face of the north pillar has an inscription that lists the names from 1914-1918. There were 200 men from Kiama who served and 44 never made it home.

The west face of the south pillar has the honour roll of those who served in WWII from 1939-1945.

The Wall of Remembrance next to the Arch is named after Gordon Grellman, former Kiama and Jamberoo RSL member and WW2 pilot.

“It is not just for Gallipoli and the First World War that we commemorate Anzac Day,” McKay said.

“It is for all conflicts, all wars where our servicemen and women have fought and paid the supreme price for the things that we value so much in our lives. They fought for freedom, justice and democracy,” he said.

“We are very lucky here in Australia where we have those freedoms. The Anzac Day service is not about the exultation of war but about the exultation of man.

Gary McKay MC, OAM, President of the Kiama-Jamberoo RSL Sub Branch. Photo: Supplied

“It is about the great deeds and sacrifices made by those men and women who left their safe, secure lives, homes and families and went to war.

“We honour their camaraderie, their mateship. These are words that are often used when talking of war veterans, and it is true. It is a bond that is forged in the crucible of battle.

“Every man is afraid in battle and those who have been there can look into each other’s eyes and know what they have seen, and none of it is nice.

“Everyone suffers and everyone pays some price for the involvement. But sometimes Australia does have to go to war, and we should never forget the sacrifice made by those who go to fight and especially those who lose their lives.”

The Kiama Jamberoo RSL Sub Branch is also selling badges at Kiama Village Shopping Centre this week to raise important funds in the lead-up to Anzac Day on Friday.