A group of dedicated retirees who wanted to keep Anzac Day alive during Covid have officially launched their own memorial.
Residents held a driveway service in 2020 at Ingenia Lifestyle Bethania.
And in 2021, they decided to take it a step further by holding their own dawn service on the road at the front of the village clubhouse, followed by a “gun fire breakfast”.
About 150 people attended.
“From these successful Anzac Day Services, the idea grew from among the many ex-service residents to construct our own Anzac Memorial within the village,” memorial committee secretary Lee Falconer said.
“In May 2021, the Ingenia management was approached and, with their agreement, the process to build the memorial commenced.”
The process didn’t come without challenges – finding funding, a suitable location, site design and layout, and the support of residents. Fundraisers, donations and a federal government grant followed.
“Importantly, we were able to draw on the many diverse talents of residents and the build process started in early 2022,” Mr Falconer said.
“The Anzac memorial site was to be a fitting and substantial memorial to all of those who served Australia, New Zealand and other countries in times of conflict.
“It is a permanent site to serve future generations. To this end, the statues honour all branches of the armed services and Rusty the dog stands for all the animals who served with them.
“These figures were laser cut from special 12mm metal plate and take on a rusted appearance. The memorial stone is Helidon sandstone. Separately, a steel bench seat overlooks the Memorial Site and is laser cut with the words ‘All gave some … Some gave all’.”
The new memorial was for the first time a focal point of an Anzac Day service in April this year. On August 15, the memorial was officially opened with a dedicated service.
More than 150 residents and guests attended the service which commemorated VP Day (Victory in the Pacific), noted as the day in 1945 that saw the end of World War 2.
“We intend to make full use of the site and significant days such as Vietnam Day, Remembrance Day, Australia Day and ANZAC Day will be centered on our ANZAC Memorial Site,” Mr Falconer said.
