On 16 October 2014 a bronze statue of a First World War trooper was unveiled on the Village Green near the site of the former Fairlie railway station. The life-size statue by Oamaru sculptor Donald Paterson depicted Trooper Mackenzie 8/1914 of the 8th Regiment (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles with rifle and kitbag at the moment of departure for the war. It was funded by the Mackenzie County Patriotic Committee.
During the First World War 429 men from Mackenzie County saw active service. Of these, 69 were killed in action, 18 died of wounds and 23 died of disease. The statue honours them and all those who served from the district. It is accompanied by two interpretation panels.
See: 'Sculptor to create life-size statue of World War I trooper', Oamaru Mail, 31/1/204; 'Trooper a silent witness to war effort', Timaru Herald, 17/10/2014.
Community contributions