King George V Memorial, Memorial outside Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia
The King George V Memorial stands just off the axis between Old Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. It has two faces: a bronze statue of King George V, and on the rear a stone Saint George on horseback. The design was by sculptor Rayner Hoff and architect Harry Foskett, completed after Hoff's death by John E Moorfield.
Commissioned in 1936 and completed in 1941, the memorial remained covered until 1953 due to shipping delays caused by World War II. The monument was relocated to its current position in 1968 to clear the sightline between Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial.
The memorial has two faces with separate meanings: the King George side honours the monarch's reign and Australian federation, while the Saint George side, a stone figure on horseback, honours Australia's contribution to the First World War. It was commissioned before the Australian War Memorial was finished, so it served as a war memorial as well.
The memorial stands just off the axis between Old Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial, so the war memorial's view from the parliament building stays clear. It sits beside the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, and the surrounding lawns are open public ground. The 2015 restoration added fittings that deter skateboarders, so the stonework is best viewed on foot.
The memorial was a popular spot for Canberra skateboarders, and the Canberra Times reported it featured in promotional videos for international professional skate teams touring Australia. The 2015 restoration, costing $326,000, added fittings to stop skateboarding on the stonework.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,252 contributors worldwide.