Leongatha remembers
A NEW honour roll paying tribute to soldiers who served in World War One was opened in Leongatha on Sunday.
The Place of Reflection was unveiled at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve, in a rotunda near the Avenue of Honour.
The Place of Reflection is a significant landmark for Leongatha’s rich history and the unveiling coincided with the centenary of Anzac.
A federal grant secured the memorial in a place away from the town’s hustle and bustle, where visitors can sit in peace and reflect on the past.
Significant research by Leongatha Historical Society’s Lyn Skillern and Leongatha RSL’s Ricky McNaugton contributed 100 more names of local war heroes to the memorial.
Guests of honour on the day were Victorian RSL president Major General David McLachlan AO, Eastern Region MLC Melina Bath, McMillan MP Russell Broadbent, South Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr Bob Newton and Cr Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks, who was the MC during the ceremony.
The unveiling ceremony was accompanied by music by the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band.
“This is a special day for us, but it is also sad to remember those who died for our benefit so long ago, and to remember how the community was sadly affected by every death,” Mr Broadbent said.
“To those who worked on this project, thank you. Lyn Skillern is a wonderful historian and the painstaking research she and Ricky McNaughton contributed deserves due credit.”
Mr McLachlan said the area signified a place of respect for the men and women who sacrificed themselves at war.
“Australia is still a young country but it remains a country where everyone is free to choose their future,” he said.
“This place is aptly named to reflect on the past and is a place to bring your children and grandchildren to learn about the futility of war.
“The local Avenue of Honour gives a personal ambience and it’s here you can have a moment of peace to remember those who served our nation.”
The ceremony concluded with afternoon tea at the Leongatha RSL, which was an opportunity for people to share their family’s history.
Leongatha’s Avenue of Honour, in Yarragon Road, honoured 250 soldiers from the West Riding of the former Shire of Woorayl who enlisted to serve in World War One, with 250 elms and oaks.
Over the years, some trees have died or were removed, and the nameplates for each soldier were removed in 1968 due to deterioration or damage by mowers.
In 2015, the names were placed on the wall at the Place of Reflection, with the additional names discovered since.
Guests of honour: from left, South Gippsland Shire Cr Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks, Victorian RSL president Major General David McLachlan AO, McMillan MP Russell Broadbent, Eastern Region MLC Melina Bath and South Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr Bob Newton were instrumental in unveiling the Place of Reflection in Leongatha on Sunday.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Feb 2 2016. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
