Windback Wednesday - John F Kennedy Memorial Garden

Did you know that there is a memorial to US President John F Kennedy in the City of Burnside?

The John F Kennedy Memorial Garden on the corner of Magill and Gurrs Road, Beulah Park was created in 1964. Eastwood resident John Hennessy approached Council and suggested a memorial rose garden be created to commemorate the life of Kennedy, who had died in 1963. Hennessy, originally from England, was inspired by Kennedy and considered him a role model. He fundraised £1500 for the memorial garden and organised for some materials to be donated by local businesses.

The choice of roses was inspired by the rose garden at the White House, which President Kennedy redesigned in 1961. The copper plaque of Kennedy featured on the wall of the memorial was sculptured by artist Voitre Marek and was the first plaque of this nature to beaten out of copper in South Australia.

Images: News Review, January 1965 and City of Burnside.