Macarthur Memorial Park is an innovative and thoughtfully designed multi-denominational memorial and parkland destination, that blends modern technology with over 113 hectares of native green landscapes, honouring the site’s rich First Nations and European heritage.
This iconic public space is open to all, featuring a breathtaking architecturally designed chapel, a versatile function centre, historical walks, native gardens, tranquil water features, and scenic boardwalks.
To support the park’s many functions and offer seamless audio-visual experiences across the expansive site, The P.A. People were engaged to deliver a site-wide AV solution across four key buildings, integrating control, audio, and video systems to meet the site’s high architectural and operational standards.
Scope of Work
The AV brief called for site-wide integration to support public events, multi-denominational services, private ceremonies, and live streaming, while allowing intuitive control for staff. The project involved:
- Full AV design and integration across The Sanctuary, Waragal Function Centre, Café Firoi and the Administration Building
Centralised Crestron control for ease of use and flexibility
Q-SYS audio DSP and amplification in all major spaces
Blustream 4K video matrix for flexible video routing and streaming across the entire site
Waragal Function Centre
The lakeside Waragal Function Centre is a bright, glass-fronted venue designed for both intimate and large-scale events. The AV system accommodates its flexible architecture, with three large displays driven by Blustream video systems and a PA system featuring Tannoy steerable arrays that maintain speech clarity within the highly reflective space.
The room can be divided into two smaller areas or used as one large space, and the AV adjusts accordingly. Dual lecterns, local HDMI inputs, and zone-specific Q-SYS audio support enhance its functionality for community events, memorials, and catered functions.
The Sanctuary
At the heart of the park lies The Sanctuary complex, comprising three stunning Reflection Halls – Peace, Harmony and Hope, that can operate independently or be reconfigured into one large, two medium or three smaller spaces. This flexibility extends to AV, with all zones fully integrated through Crestron for combined or independent operation. Each chapel includes Tannoy steerable arrays and subwoofers, discreetly integrated to preserve the aesthetic.
Inside The Sanctuary, Peace has 2 video walls, with a third featuring in Hope. A central motorised video wall also lifts from below the floor in the Harmony area, giving families the choice between a panoramic view out to the coast, or an additional display surface to celebrate and remember a life. Each Sanctuary area also includes local lecterns with HDMI inputs, wireless microphones, and suspended microphone arrays.
Live streaming is a key capability of The Sanctuary AV system. 4K Bluestream encoders feed Panasonic cameras, audio, and video content into the RØDECaster streamers, enabling high-quality broadcasts of services to be shared beyond the chapel walls. This content can be distributed across the entire site — including to the café, function centre, or other external locations, ensuring remote or overflow audiences can remain part of the experience.
Peace also features a reversible seating configuration and a video wall at each end to support multi-denominational customs, with the AV system adapting to the orientation instantly. Bose Professional IP55 weather rated outdoor speakers under the eaves allow ceremonies to extend into the gardens or driveway, ensuring accessibility for larger services.
Café Fiori
Café Fiori at Macarthur Memorial Park offers a relaxed environment, featuring both indoor and outdoor dining areas as well as a private function space. The audio system was designed to match the venue’s flexible layout, with Q-SYS DSP and Tannoy speakers delivering clear, high-quality sound for both speech and background music indoors. Outside, Bose Professional IP55 weather rated speakers ensure consistent audio coverage throughout the open-air areas, blending discreetly into the landscape.
A flexible wall system allows the café to easily transition from casual day-to-day dining into a more formal event setting, with the AV system adapting seamlessly to support both uses through Crestron-controlled presets.
Administration Building
The administration building features a straightforward, yet effective audio system designed for day-to-day operations. A dedicated background music system provides clear announcements and ambient audio throughout the space, delivered via discreet ceiling-mounted speakers, integrated into the site-wide Crestron control network.
Outcome
The P.A. People delivered a future-ready, flexible, easy-to-use AV system that aligns with the architectural and environmental atmosphere and community function of Macarthur Memorial Park. Staff can manage complex ceremonies or simple events with minimal training, while families benefit from high-quality sound, clear visuals, and the ability to share services with remote attendees via webcast.
