Wall a touching tribute

The new memorial wall and stone at the Coast Guard headquarters, Munna Point.

MORE than 60 people gathered at the Coast Guard headquarters on Sunday to celebrate the opening of the Munna Point memorial wall.
Made with a sandstone-look and designed to face out to the ocean, the touching memorial wall is a place for people to spend time remembering their loved ones.
The wall has been five years in the making and Coast Guard commander John Milland said the team was absolutely thrilled with the outcome.
“We’re very proud of the wall,” he said. “It’s our way to engage with the community.”
Mr Milland said the community had always supported the work of the Coast Guard, so the volunteer organisation wanted to give back and offer a place of remembrance for those who had been lost at sea, had their ashes scattered at sea or simply had an affinity with the river or ocean.
“The memorial wall is open to anyone,” Mr Milland said.
“We have provisions for over 1200 plaques and since we opened the wall, we’ve had a high response with over 50 requests for plaques.”
Coast Guard patron and Member for Noosa Glen Elmes said the Coast Guard had done an amazing job building the wall.
“It’s such a great idea to have the wall,” he said.
“And they’ve done such a brilliant job. It’s surrounded by luscious landscaping and the wall is beautiful.”
Mr Elmes said he was proud to be among those who gathered on Sunday to witness the opening of the wall, including a number of families who had already placed plaques in memory of their loved ones.
David Gillies has been appointed the memorial wall manager.
For any inquiries about the memorial wall or to place a plaque, phone the flotilla headquarters on 5474 3695.