By MELISSA MEEHAN
A STATUE of the Unknown Soldier will be laid at Anzac Place in Emerald as part of the local RSL’s Anzac Walk project.
Last week Federal MP Jason Wood visited the Woodhenge Carving Studio in Cockatoo to see how the project was taking shape.
Well-known artist Ronnie Sexton has been commissioned to carve the wooden sculpture of the 3.6 metre high and one metre wide Unknown Soldier.
Project manager Tony Schauvel said the Emerald RSL had lots going on in the lead-up to the Centenary of Anzac in 2015, and said everyone was busily working to get the project completed in time.
“We’ll have two pieces by Ronnie,” Mr Schauvel said.
“One will be the statue in Anzac Place and the other will be inside the RSL hall to help us with the ode.”
The works will be carved from wood from the Dandenong Ranges.
While an official opening date has not yet been decided, it is believed the works will be completed by January next year.
“All three levels of government have provided funding for the total project,” he said.
“The walk will honour the 32 soldiers lost from Emerald and surrounding towns.
“And will start at the centre of town and at Anzac Place where a lone pine will be planted near the Unknown Soldier.”
The walk will be interactive and will allow those who visit to use their phones along the way for information linked to the stops.
