A Geelong region artist has been selected to design and create a permanent memorial to remember people who have lost their lives on Victorian roads.
Ocean Grove's Don Walters' concept 'Solace' was chosen from a pool of high-quality submissions to create the public memorial, which will be located in Geelong.
The memorial will have a permanent home along the picturesque eastern Geelong waterfront, off Hearne Parade, where the views will provide a peaceful place for remembering.
Mr Walters' design uses the moon as a metaphor for the changing emotions experienced by those who experience loss through road trauma.
The memorial and its design will create a place for all people affected by road trauma to visit and remember their loved ones, as well as raising awareness for support networks Road Trauma Support Services Victoria and Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Uniting Church of Australia.
The Transport Accident Commission has partnered with the City of Greater Geelong to deliver the road trauma memorial project with support from RTSSV and UCAVT.
The City of Greater Geelong will also carry out landscaping works, such as planting and shading, to the surrounding area to create a welcoming space with all-abilities access.
Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC Jaala Pulford
When people die on the road it can be so hard to find a peaceful place to sit and remember. This memorial will be a place for children, parents, partners, family and friends to visit and connect with their greatly loved and missed person. Road trauma has a widespread and permanent impact on the loved ones and communities left behind by a death or impacted by serious injury to someone they know.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
This memorial will be a peaceful and comforting space for the local community and visitors to reflect on those killed and seriously injured on our roads.
Cr Kylie Grzybek, Chair, Community Health and Safety portfolio
The City of the Greater Geelong is proud to partner with the TAC and State Government to create an art memorial for road trauma. The City has also allowed extra funding for landscaping to ensure the memorial is a place which people can visit and remember loved ones who have been lost.
