In Milton, a garden built by veterans stands as a lasting reminder of the 41 Australians who died in the Afghanistan war, and the many more who came home carrying wounds that cannot be seen. Known as “42 for 42,” this grassroots memorial is more than a tribute, it is a space shaped by the very people it honours.
A Community’s Space for Healing
Located next to Suncorp Stadium in Milton, the 42 for 42 Afghanistan Memorial Garden is a peaceful tribute to Australia’s modern military history. Created privately by veterans and families, it honours the 41 soldiers killed in action and those lost to psychological wounds like PTSD and depression.
A mural by artist Lee Harnden anchors the space, featuring The Ode, the Australian flag, and a Special Forces soldier. Together with the garden, it creates a place for reflection. The not-for-profit 42 for 42, run by former soldiers, supports veterans and their families after service.
Built by Veterans, Backed by Brisbane
The garden’s creation was deeply personal. Veterans marched 42 hours with 40-kg packs to highlight the burdens carried beyond combat. Funded partly by a Saluting Their Service Grant, much of the work relied on volunteers and community support.
Since its dedication in 2021, the memorial has become a place where Anzac Day services have taken on new meaning. Local schools now include the Afghanistan conflict in their tributes, laying wreaths alongside those for Gallipoli and Kokoda. Families visit not only to grieve, but to connect with others who understand their loss.
The First to Fall — And a Family’s Legacy
Sergeant Andrew Russell was the first Australian soldier killed during the Afghanistan campaign. A career member of the Special Air Service Regiment, he died when the vehicle he was travelling in hit an explosive device. His death marked the beginning of a long chapter in Australia’s military involvement overseas.
His family later founded Andrew Russell Veteran Living (ARVL), a charity providing transitional housing and support for at-risk veterans. Born from loss, like the Brisbane garden, ARVL continues to offer practical help for the difficult shift from combat to civilian life.
A Modern Meaning for Anzac Day
The 42 for 42 Memorial Garden is a sign that remembrance in Australia is changing. While Gallipoli remains central to the national identity, the names remembered at Milton are a reminder that service and sacrifice are not confined to the past.
This memorial, created by those who served and those who suffered, gives families a place to remember, veterans a space to reflect, and communities a reason to keep the conversation going.
As more people visit the garden each Anzac Day, it becomes clearer that remembrance in Australia is not about choosing between past and present, it’s about honouring both.
Published 9-April-2025