People Australia

design of memorial plaque for Brian Patton, 1961

On May 7th, 1961, a memorial plaque to Brian’s [Arthur Brian Patton] memory was dedicated and unveiled within his family church, St. Hilary’s, Kew, Melbourne.

The plaque is made of Huon pine, with a border of black bean. It is hand carved in low relief, to a design prepared by Mr. C.D. Hamilton of the Australian Forestry School. This depicts a garland incorporating three tree species of special significance — Q. palustris from the grove at the Australian Forestry School where Brian’s ashes were strewn; P. elliottii, which Brian was engaged in propagating; and E. nowraensis, a rare species of the native forests near Jervis Bay where Brian lived.

Who would true valour see
Let him come hither
One here will constant be
Come wind, come weather:

The inscription below the plaque are
the opening words from Bunyan’s
"Pilgrim Song" describing "Mr. Valiant for Truth".