Brisbane Squares: ANZAC, Post Office and St. George Squares

Like a green lung that provides adequate space, greenery, work of art, bits and pieces of history and a subdued atmosphere, Brisbane's Squares are among my favorite places in this cosmopolitan jungle. Three of the most accessible are ANZAC Square, Post Office Square and St. George Square.

ANZAC Square as it was in 1930.

Located between Ann and Adelaide Streets is ANZAC Square which, if you're arriving into the city by train, is the first sight to greet you. It faces the entrance of Brisbane Central Station. ANZAC Square is a heritage-listed town square which serves as a memorial to the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought overseas. The square officially opened in 1930 and contains the gorgeously constructed Shrine of Remembrance, as well as the "Eternal Flame of Remembrance", a continuously lit urn. These wars include World War I, the Second Boer War of South Africa, World War II, Vietnam War, and campaigns and offensives in Korea, Borneo and New Guinea.

The 18 columns of the Shrine represent the peaceful years that followed after World War I. Even the "bottle trees" and the "date palms" carry meanings and significance. There are several statues scattered all over this square, and people are seen on the grass relaxing, exercising, reading books, or walking their dogs.

Just across ANZAC Square is Post Office Square which faces the General Post Office. Underground is a Food Court, which has shops. St. George Square (formerly Albert Square), between Adelaide and Ann Streets, doesn't have plants, but is a pedestrian promenade facing Brisbane City Hall. It is analogous to London's Trafalgar Square and has its share of statues (a bronze lion sculpture which "guards" King George; kangaroos, the Petrie Tableau, etc.)

This is the Eye in the Sky!

 

Eternal Flame of Remembrance

Shrine of Remembrance

Bottle trees at ANZAC Square.

Korea-Malaya-Borneo (1948-1966). 

A wounded Australian soldier is being assisted by a nursing nun. World War II Memorial. 

South West Pacific Campaign (1942-1945). this depicts a wounded soldier descending the Kokoda Trail assisted by a strong Papua New Guinean leading him to safety.

Major General Sir William Glasgow

Post Office Square

Created by Len Shillam, this sculpture was fixed to the building in 1970 and represents bankers and the industries they assist.

St. George Square as it was in 1930 when it was still known as Albert Square.

The Petrie Tableau was created in the Bicentennial Year in 1988. It depicts the departure of Andrew Petrie for an inland expedition from the Moreton Bay settlement in 1842. John Petrie, the one holding his father's horse, went on to become Brisbane's first mayor and a prominent engineer. Stephen Walker sculpted this piece. 

This bronze lion found in King George Square "guards" King George V.

This sculpture represents a prisoner freed by John Petrie. It is a part of the Petrie Tableau.