On Wednesday afternoon, 9 October 2024, The National Defence Chaplains’ Memorial Grove, in Toowong’s historic Anzac Park, was officially unveiled and dedicated. Designed and erected by Brisbane City Council, this serene space is the first civic memorial — anywhere in the Commonwealth of Australia — to honour the gallantry, sacrifice, dedication to duty and commitment of our nation’s military Chaplains to the spiritual and material wellbeing of Australian Defence Force personnel — alongside of whom they have humbly served in time of war and in peacekeeping operations. Located on a slight ridge in the eastern quarter of the park (entry off Wool Street), not far from The World War I Nurses Memorial Grove. The National Defence Chaplains' Memorial Grove overlooks Canon Garland Overpass, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha and a section of the Western Freeway Bikeway. After Council acceded to a brief, citizens-lead petition campaign that circulated in early 2020, Council business units — including architects and arborists — liaised with the proponent, who in turn engaged with ADF Directors-General — Chaplaincy in Canberra and Brisbane. Walter Taylor Ward representatives (Councillors Penny Wolff and James Mackay) guided the project funding and a design that took full advantage of an existing semi-circle of six hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii) that flanked the site was chosen. In 2022, to complete a ring effect, Council arborists successfully planted two more mature pines. Two years later Council landscaping staff juxtaposed — east and west — heavy blocks of Brisbane sandstone (tuf) to form two “seats.” Four garden beds of bottlebrush (Callistemons), native rosemary (Westringia) and grasses were then arrayed around an embossed, concrete disk centrepiece inscribed with the words, "The National Defence Chaplains' Memorial Grove. Dedicated to Australian Defence Force Chaplains who have humbly served this nation in times of war and peace. LEST WE FORGET."