General News
24 April, 2026
WOMAN CARVES STATUE: Memorial for Maryborough
An excerpt from The News, Adelaide, on Tuesday, March 30, 1926.
Miss Margaret Baskerville (Mrs Douglas Richardson) is a sculptress of note, who has a studio at Middle Brighton (Victoria).... She has just completed her latest commission — a soldiers’ memorial for Maryborough, Victoria.
The women of the district raised £1300 to pay for the monument. They considered that the work should be done by a woman, and selected Margaret Baskerville. She will shortly pass on her work to the founder, to be cast in bronze.
“The memorial shows a soldier in fighting attitude,” said Miss Baskerville.
“He gazes on the enemy while he loads his gun, but his face is sad. The Australian soldier was not a man fond of taking life, but he had his duty to perform. That is what I have tried to portray in the face.
“I have made him alert, strong and vigorous in build. The statue is 7 ft. 6 in. in height. The pedestal, in grey granite, stands 13 ft. 6 in. Bronze panels to be placed on the pedestal will feature the landing at Gallipoli, names of battlefields on which Maryborough boys fought with the Light Horse, and the names of soldiers. The Cross of Sacrifice and Wreath of Fame will be in front of the lowest stone.
“Members of the committee of the ‘Back-to-Maryborough’ movement have inspected the statue. They told me they were satisfied with the memorial.”