Per Ardua ad Astra – Through Adversity to the Stars. This memorial to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) honours the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in the RAAF and the Australian Flying Corps. It was the second memorial to be erected on Anzac Parade and was unveiled in 1973 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the RAAF.
The original sculpture, by Inge King, was enhanced in 2002 by three polished granite walls. The artwork depicts the dedication and valour of serving members and traces major episodes of conflict from 1915 to the present day.
The RAAF is one of the world’s oldest independent air forces, established in 1921. Australian pilots were on active service in 1914 in New Guinea and in 1915 the Australian Flying Corps were fighting in Mesopotamia (Iraq).
Click here to learn more about Anzac Parade and its memorials.
Our work is on the land of the Ngunnawal People, Ngunnawal Country. We pay our respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging.