A Living Memorial

Construction on the Great Ocean Road began on 19 September 1919. It was built by approximately 3,000 returned servicemen as a war memorial to Australian soldiers who died in World War I - a very long way from home. 

An advance survey team progressed through  coastal forests  at approximately 3 kilometres a month. Construction was done by hand; using explosives, pick and shovel, wheel barrows, and some small machinery.

The work was at times perilous, with several workers killed on the job; the final sections along steep coastal mountains being the most difficult to work 

The soldiers were paid 10 shillings and sixpence for eight hours per day, also working a half day on Saturdays.They used tents for accommodation throughout, and made use of a communal dining marquee and kitchen; food costing up to 10 shillings a week. Despite the difficulty involved in constructing the road, the workers had access to a piano, gramophone, games, newspaper and magazines at the camps.

Since then a great any improvements have been made to the road, and whole towns and resorts have grown up along it.

Motormarques has prepared a 5 minute Handycam video that can be assessed from the Front Page menu.

Under the Direction of the Victorian Sports Car Club 80 Great Ocean Road Committee, Mr Charlea Rogers organanised, promoted and directed the 80th Anniversary Tour depicted in this coverage.