At Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council’s April meeting, Mayor Abb McAlister urged that Council consider providing support to the Gundagai RSL for the Richard Norden Memorial project.
The Gundagai RSL Sub-Branch is seeking Council’s support for the development of a Richard Norden Memorial, a commemorative project of local and national significance.
Council ultimately decided to note the report, but to wait until grants and funding were finalised before pushing forward. They still remained very supportive of the project.
Earlier this year, Council resolved the following: Resolution 007/2025
1. Council provide a letter of support for the Gundagai RSL Sub Branch regarding their grant application for the commemoration project recognising the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral and the actions of Private Richard Norden, VC, DCM.
2. Should funding be obtained, Council provide a suitable location for construction of the memorial and commit to the ongoing maintenance of the structure.
Since that resolution, the Mayor said in the report the Gundagai RSL has been working closely with Council staff on the design and proposed construction of the memorial. The RSL intends to erect and dedicate the memorial in Gundagai commemorating both the Battle of Coral/Balmoral and the heroic actions of Private Richard Norden VC — the only Victoria Cross recipient from this engagement.
The report said, “The memorial will honour one of the most significant battles fought by Australians during the Vietnam War. For 26 days in May–June 1968, approximately 3,000 Australian soldiers held their position against a larger, well-prepared enemy force.
The battle resulted in the loss of 26 Australian lives, with 99 wounded.
“Private Norden, born and raised in Gundagai, enlisted in the Australian Army at 18, serving from 1966 to 1969. After leaving the Army, he joined the ACT Police and tragically died in the line of duty in October 1972. Members of the Norden family still live in Gundagai and surrounding areas, and it is both fitting and meaningful that his bravery be recognised in his home-town.
“The memorial is proposed to be located in Council Park at the intersection of West and Sheridan Streets, Gundagai — a prominent and highly visible location.”
He said it will include:
· A bronze statue depicting Private Norden saving the life of his wounded Section Commander, Lance Corporal Daniel (Joe) Kelly, during combat.
· Static information plaques telling the story of the Battle of Coral/Balmoral and Norden’s actions.
· QR-coded audio/visual components allowing visitors to access expanded historical content and personal accounts.
“Design work is progressing well. The RSL has received quotes from four accredited sculpting studios and expects to select a preferred supplier by June 2025. The cost of the statue, featuring two figures, is estimated at $200,000.
“The RSL has secured support from regional businesses and RSL Sub-Branches and is awaiting the outcome of a significant grant application to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, expected by the end of June 2025.”
He said that if the application is unsuccessful or only partially funded, the RSL plans to seek additional support from RSL NSW, major branches, and corporate donors. The project timeline includes an 8-month production schedule for the statue, targeting an unveiling on 14 May 2026 — the anniversary of both the Battle of Coral/Balmoral and the action for which Private Norden was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia.
“While strategies are in place to meet the funding goal, a shortfall remains, and continued fundraising will be essential in the coming months.
“The Gundagai RSL is formally requesting that Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council consider a financial contribution toward this important project. Such support would not only honour the legacy of one of Gundagai’s most heroic sons but would also further enhance the town’s national profile as a place of heritage, remembrance, and community pride.”
The letter to CGRC from the sub-branch reads as follows:
“Gundagai RSL is undertaking the construction and dedication of a Memorial in Gundagai to commemorate the Battle of Coral/Balmoral and the actions of the Battle’s Victoria Cross for Aus-tralia recipient, Private Richard Norden VC.
“The Memorial will serve to tell the history of the largest and most protracted battle fought by Australians in the Vietnam War. For 26 days in 1968 a force comprising some 3,000 Australians prevailed against a well prepared and numerically superior force. Twenty-six Australian lives were lost, with ninety-nine soldiers wounded.
The significance of this battle was recognised by the Australian Government in 2022 (some 52 years after the event) with the designation of a Unit Citation for Gallantry.
On 11 November 2024, the outstanding bravery and courage displayed by Private Richard Norden of the 1st Battalion RAR during this battle was recognised with the award of the Victoria Cross for Australia by the Governor General, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn, AC.
Richard Norden was born and raised in Gundagai and enlisted in the Australian Army in 1966 at the age of eighteen. He completed his service in the Army in 1969 and joined the ACT Police where he tragically died on duty in October 1972.
Members of the Norden family still reside in Gundagai and its surroundings and it is appropriate that the Battle of Coral/Balmoral and the courageous actions of Private Richard Norden VC be commemorated in this iconic, heritage town.
“The proposed memorial will be erected in a prominent position within the Council Park at the intersection of West and Sheridan Street, Gundagai. The Memorial will tell the history of the Battle of Coral/Balmoral and its VC recipient through static information plaques and QR coded audio/visual technology, allowing the public to access an array of information relating to this important part of Australia’s military heritage. A bronze statue will display the actions of Private Norden saving the life of his badly wounded Section Commander, Lance Corporal Daniel (Joe) Kelly, in the middle of a fierce fire fight.
“There are presently no other commemorations or memorials to the Battle of Coral/Balmoral and Private Richard Norden in Australia. The proposed memorial, conveniently located near the gateway to Gundagai will offer a deeply education and moving experience for the tens of thou-sands of visitors passing through the area annually. Its proximity to the newly refurbished Gundagai Visitor Information Centre ensures strong support from tourism and visitor assistance staff, who will actively promote the memorial as a key attraction. The memorials integration with existing attractions will further contribute to local economic growth, drawing visitors to experience the towns rich historical and cultural offerings.
“RSL NSW will provide financial and governance advice and direction to the project implementation team. The Implementation team will be led by the Secretary Gundagai RSL, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with extensive logistics and project management experience and qualifications, assisted by project team members with a wide range of Service, legal and management experience. Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) is represented on the implementation team by the General Manager Operations, a qualified civil engineer. Historical data for the Memorial is being sourced from the Australian War Memorial and Veteran eyewitness accounts and will be collated and produced by a retired AWM historian and researcher. Sculpture design, production and installation will be undertaken by an accredited Sculpture studio.
“A project management plan will be utilised that includes a risk management assessment and appropriate contingency planning. The project involves four major components:
• Stage 1 – Site planning, design and construction by Gundagai (CGRC) Council.
• Stage 2 – Preparation and production of historical data (hard display and QR coded).
• Stage 3 – Design, production, transportation and installation of a bronze statue.
• Stage 4 – An Opening Ceremony to be conducted on 14 May 2026.
Quotations for the bronze statue have been obtained from four accredited Sculpture studios.
“The Opening Ceremony for the Gundagai Commemoration and Memorial is planned for 14 May 2026, the anniversary of the day on which Private Norden’s heroic action took place in 1968.
“The Gundagai RSL Project team will not be working in isolation. It has established key partner relationships and support with the Gundagai community, Gundagai (CGRC) Council and Mayor, Federal and State MP’s, NSW and National RSL, Coral and 1 RAR Associations and Veterans, and distinguished identities including former Governor Generals Cosgrove and Hurley and Keith Payne VC.
“Funding support for the Memorial is being sought through an application to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commemorative Grants Program, together with donations sought through RSL NSW Sub-Branches and regional business entities.”
-Jack Murray
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