IT'S no secret that one of Australia's most revered animals – the hybrid horse known as the waler of World War I fame – will be immortalised in a magnificent sculpture in Tamworth's Bicentennial Park.
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But there is a long way to go to raise the $110,000 for the bronze to be fashioned by one of Australia's foremost sculpters, Tanya Bartlett, formerly of Gunnedah and creator of the sculptures of Bowral's Don Bradman and Maitland's boxing champion Les Darcy.
Yesterday however, the estimated $25,000 the Tamworth RSL sub-branch's Waler Memorial Fund has already raised was boosted by a cheque for $15,000, courtesy of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale.
It was obtained after much lobbying from National Party Senator Sandy Macdonald and was a grant from the Federal Government's Their Service - Our Heritage commemorative program.
The life-size bronze sculpture would be national recognition of the Australian stock horse's contribution to Australia's military history, Senator Macdonald,who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, said
yesterday.
"The $15,000 will help fund the waler statue in full military tack. It will be placed adjacent to the World War II Memorial," Senator Macdonald said.
The waler, along with the servicemen who rode them, played an important role in Australian wartime history and was particularly outstanding in its service to the Australian Light Horse Regiment in the Middle East.
About 160,000 walers – originally called "the New South Wales horse" – were sent overseas during the 1914-1918 conflict but only one returned home.
"It is appropriate that a waler memorial be built in Tamworth as so many waler horses were bred in the New England region and were sold locally to the Australian Army," Senator Macdonald said.
The cheque presentation was attended by members of the fundraising committee and Bob Gunning, of Quirindi and David Evans, of Tamworth, both members of the Quirindi and Muswellbrook Light Horse Troupe of the 12th Light Horse Regiment.
Both were astride Australian stock horses, clad in the uniform and equipment of the original waler horsemen.
Senator Macdonald said the idea for a memorial was first flagged in March last year.
