See this link for closer detail on the plaques.
Plaque Reel On Facebook link
The history of Lions Remembrance Park Bundaberg is closely tied to its transformation from Boot Park into what is now known as Lions Remembrance Park, a major memorial precinct in the city. The park’s evolution reflects community collaboration, Lions Club leadership, and Bundaberg’s commitment to honouring service men and women.
Origins as Lions Golden Anniversary Park (Boot Park)
Now Lions Remembrance Park
Boot Park was the earlier name for the site that would later become Lions Remembrance Park. Prior to redevelopment, the area served as a general public space but did not yet have the structured memorial purpose it holds today.
Transformation into Lions Remembrance Park (1999)
The park was officially opened and renamed on 27 October 1999 following discussions between the Bundaberg Lions Club, local veterans’ associations, and Bundaberg Regional Council. The Lions Club offered the site specifically to create a consolidated memorial precinct honouring Australian service personnel.
This renaming marked a shift from a general-use park (Boot Park) to a dedicated remembrance space.
Memorials Established in the Park
Upon its opening in 1999, several memorials were dedicated with more added later, forming one of Bundaberg’s most comprehensive collections of military commemorations:
47th Australian Infantry Battalion – Wide Bay Regiment Memorial
Bundaberg – AFC & RAAF Memorial
Bundaberg – Korean War Memorial
Bundaberg – North Korea – Lest We Forget Memorial
Bundaberg – National Service Memorial
Bundaberg – Naval Association Memorial
Bundaberg – The Milne Bay – Kokoda Plaque Memorial
Bundaberg – POW War Memorial
Bundaberg – Service Women’s Memorial
Bundaberg – Vietnam War Memorial
Bundaberg – South Vietnam Remembrance Memorial
Milne Bay – Kokoda Memorial
Community Significance
The redevelopment into Lions Remembrance Park created a central, respectful location for Bundaberg’s military heritage. It stands today as a place of reflection, ceremonies, and community remembrance, supported by ongoing Lions Club involvement.
Lions Remembrance Park and the Rats of Tobruk Monument are side by side. Lions Remembrance Park has remembrance cairns to the Korean Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, and a Dedication to National Service Subscripts and more. The Park is fully landscaped with high quality walk ways.
Remembrance Park is located near the City Centre on the corner of White and Takalvan Streets. The Park is beside Bundaberg West State School.
10 Quandong trees at Lions Remembrance Park Remembrance Day 11 November 2022
Remembrance Day – 11 November 2022
A special ceremony at Lions Remembrance Park marked the completion of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee tree planting project. Association members and guests, including Mayor Jack Dempsey and Alan Williams of Bundaberg Lions Club, gathered to honour The Queen’s 70 years of service.
The event began with a welcome from Jennifer Waldron, President of Bundaberg District Women Veterans. A wreath was laid at the Women of the Australian Defence Force Memorial, followed by recitations of In Flanders Fields and The Ode.
The gathering then moved to the tree planting area, where the Royal Anthem was played and President Waldron spoke about The Queen’s WWII service and her role as Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps. She highlighted the significance of planting 10 Quandong trees at Lions Remembrance Park and 23 trees at War Nurses Memorial Park, creating a lasting legacy across both memorial sites. Permanent commemorative signage has now been installed at each location.
Mayor Dempsey, Alan Williams, and Patron Leone Wilson OAM joined in planting the final tree, symbolising the completion of the Jubilee Trees for War Memorial Parks project. The National Anthem followed, concluding the ceremony.
The project was jointly funded by Bundaberg District Women Veterans and the Australian Government’s Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program, with valued assistance from Bundaberg Regional Council Parks staff. President Waldron thanked the volunteers and women veterans whose efforts ensured the success of this historic community event.
More History of the Park.
An old article written by a Lions member now passed who would have been there from the start.
History of “Lions Golden Anniversary Park.”
This was the original name given to the Takalvan Street Park when it was officially established on the 15″‘ September 1967, with the planting of a tree by The Right Honourable Lord Casey, Governor General and Commander of Australia.
It was a project of the Bundaberg Lions Club President, Mr. Frank McNamara and club members to celebrate the 50″‘ Anniversary of Lions in Australia, the first club being chartered at Lismore in 1917.
That tree was the second tree to be planted, the first was by Lions District Governor, Mr. Bill Jones in July 1967 and again a number more were planted by Lions officials when the club hosted the Annual Lions Convention in October of that year.
It was always meant to be a family park for locals or those passing through on the highway. The first piece of playground equipment set up in the park was an old steam locomotive which had passed it used by date at Fairymead Sugar Co. who kindly donated it. This was followed in future months with other pieces of equipment, the last being the construction of a large “Mother Hubbard Shoe” built by Lion Fred May.
A large archway facing Takalvan bore the name “Lions Park”, but despite this it was given a descriptive name of “Boot Park” when Takalvan Street was widened to 4 lanes and Steffensen Street was extended to cut through the Park area to link up with Takalvan Street. We believe the main roads staff described their work point as “where the big Boot is” and the name was adopted.
This road change reduced the actual usable park area significantly, the weather plus its age caused serious deterioration to the Locomotive and with lack of space the decision was made to remove it and the old Timber wagon during the early 1980’s. In 1995-6 the City Council advised the Lions club that the cement Boot had been damaged and in poor condition, making them concerned as to its safety with children playing around it. Following an inspection by the club and council the decision was to remove it.
In 1997 the Council asked if the Lions Club would consider offering the area to the Rats of Tobruk association, who had requested a site to construct a memorial. Following a request from Mr. Jack Toohey, President of the R.O.T association and a former member of the Bundaberg Lions Club, the club became heavily involved in the construction of the Monument and park surrounds in 1998.
The smaller area on the western side of Steffensen Street was refurbished by the City Council in 1999, and since then memorials to other Armed Forces campaigns have been constructed. The entire area offers a very attractive site on the main road in and out of the city and the Bundaberg Lions Club are proud to erect the sign proclaiming it as “Lions Remembrance Park”.
The first piece of playground equipment set up in the park in the late 60″s. An old locomotive donated by Fairymead Sugar Co.