Terrace Courtyard

Moving on the left along the path, you will come across the Terrace Courtyard which evokes the imagery of South-East Asia and the Pacific which Australia served in WW2 and the Cold War. Behind the bamboo is a large fig tree in the middle of the courtyard, inspired by the roots of strangler figs which overtake the Angkor structures at Ta Prohm temple in Cambodia; a feature that underscores the sacristy of the shrine. Beneath the fig tree are wooden benches which represent the Thai-Burma railway, which was built by many prisoners of war. The red panels list towns where Victorians were recruited from. 

“ Ficus Dammaropsis (highland breadfruit) is native to a rainforest in New Guinea, and the feathery leaves of Cycas Revoluta (sago palm) hail from Japan.”

- Can you think of other ways to honour those who served in conflicts far from home?

- Try to identify some plants in the area. Where do you think it was native to? What conflict do you think it commemorates?