By BEN CAMERON AND RUSSELL BENNETT
MORE than 30 fallen soldiers from WWI with links to the Emerald area will be officially heralded under a new $100,000 plan by the Emerald RSL to construct a new Anzac Walk and Anzac Place.
The RSL has put a call out to the community for 24 photos, which will be used for signage on the proposed Anzac Walk – linking the cenotaph to Anzac Place adjacent to the RSL in Memorial Avenue.
RSL president Peter Maloney said it was a chance for the community to play its part in paying tribute to those who gave their lives for freedom.
“We’ve got eight pictures so far, and we have two more months to find the other 24,” RSL president Peter Maloney said.
The RSL is proposing eight information stands which would have four pictures of soldiers with a short notation on their individual histories.
Ranges Ward councillor Brett Owen said Cardinia Shire Council would be committing $30,000 to the Anzac Walk project, in addition to its maintenance and ongoing works. The shire will also provide another $250,000 for the ‘Emerald Link’ project.
Mr Owen commended the Emerald RSL and Mr Maloney on their tireless work, adding: “We’re just happy to assist in any way.
“This (Anzac Walk) project is a great example of everyone coming together for one shared goal, and that says a lot.”
Construction is expected to begin in August on the project, including the Statue of the Unknown Soldier. The total project is being funded by federal and state governments, together with Cardinia Shire Council and the Rotary Club of Emerald.
The RSL is chasing pictures of Andres Andreassen, James Adolphus Edgcumbe, Charles Spencer Barnes, Harrie Hasler Barnes, Gilbert Morrison Boyling, William Thomas Clark, Percy John Curtis Coates, Malcolm John Collis, Harold Coulson, Frederick Whitehead Cullen, Lister Beryl Foreman, Arthur Leeman Fulton, Harold George Hales, Walter Gordon Heppner, Francis Bewley Holliday, Bruce Robison Lamborn, Francis Angus Moffatt, Raymond Samuel Page, Harold Hill Parker, James Harold Russell, Stanley Sydney Sawyers, Thomas Walker, Frederick Wright and Sydney Wright.
Anybody with a photo to share can contact Peter on 0439 11 22 04 or peter.maloney@emeraldrsl.com.au.
