Inverell and District Bicentennial Memorial

The Bicentennial memorial demonstrates the community spirit of the individuals and organisations who volunteered their time, technical skills, labour and much of the material to create a permanent memorial depicting the history and progressive development of the Inverell district prior to 1988. It features three courtyards, each containing 14 sculptured bas-relief panels, with a central connecting courtyard. Courtyard One depicts pre-1788 when the Inverell District was home to the Anaiwan, Bigambul, Jukambal, Kwiambal and Weraerai First Nations people. Courtyard Two spans 1788-1888, the first century of white occupation in Australia, and the settlement and development of the Inverell District. Courtyard Three depicts the social and technological changes that occurred from 1888 to 1988, including the use of the district's resources and the growth of the town. A tile mosaic map depicting Alan Cunningham's travels through the area is at the Bicentennial Memorial's centre. The bas-relief plaques are arranged in pairs in the form of open books, which are intended to be viewed in progression from the pre 1788 courtyard to create the impression of a walk through history. The last plaque in the series, with hands and fore arms linked, signifies unity and working together and the Spire symbolises strength, the light which shines upward through the spire shows the way to the future.