THE bronze sculpture that will replace the Bathurst War Memorial Carillon's Eternal Flame is set to be unveiled within weeks.
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And it's going to be big: around 700 to 800 kilograms, according to Bathurst RSL Sub Branch president David Mills, and about the height of an average person.
The gas-fuelled flame that burns within the Carillon - and coats the interior with black, oily soot that must be regularly cleaned - is being replaced as part of a major upgrade to the memorial in which it will finally be converted to a fully functioning musical instrument.
Though there were plans at one stage to replace the Eternal Flame with a hologram, the sub branch has since recommended to council that a sculpture be used.
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Mr Mills said Blue Mountains sculptor Terrance Plowright - whose work includes a bronze sculpture of former national captain Steve Waugh at the Sydney Cricket Ground - is the man who has been given the job.
"We're pretty pleased with it because it's a significant sculpture and it's fitting for where it's being placed in the Carillon," Mr Mills said. "It's the right shape."
Mr Mills said the work will be a five-fingered burnished bronze sculpture with a bowl at its top from which flames will be emerging.
The sculpture will sit on a plinth which will have LED lighting. On the plinth will be the phrases "Lest we forget" and "We will remember them".
"It [the sculpture] will be a focus for eternal remembrance, which is what the Eternal Flame is about," Mr Mills said.
He said the sub branch hopes to dedicate the sculpture on Anzac Day during the dawn service and the 10.30am community commemoration.
Mr Mills said the sculpture will be carried in to the Carillon on stretchers.
"We were considering bringing it in with a crane, but that [stretchers] will be the easiest way to do it."
It has taken more than a year of talks to get to this stage after Bathurst Regional Council first asked the sub branch to consider removing the gas-fired Eternal Flame that has been burning since the 1960s.
