By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
OVER a year of planning and preparation will come to fruition at the opening of Anzac Walk in Emerald tomorrow.
Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and and Lady Cosgrove will join Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Michael Ronaldson, mayor of Cardinia Leticia Wilmot, CEO of Anzac House Michael Annett, MP for La Trobe Jason Wood and members of the Emerald RSL at the opening, which commemorates the 32 local men who lost their lives in World War I.
In a touching symbolic gesture, representatives of the fallen soldiers will arrive back in Emerald on Puffing Billy, finally receiving the heroes’ welcome they deserve. Students and teachers from Emerald Primary School will also arrive by train, dressed in period costume to recreate the occasion.
Emerald RSL president Peter Maloney said that members of the organising committee had spent the past few months ensuring that everything was ready for the opening.
“It’s a very significant event for Emerald, and we’re preparing for around 3000 people to attend the ceremony,” he said last Wednesday.
“The process has been a lot of work, but we’re very pleased with the finished product.”
The walk will feature 10 different audio stations, where visitors can learn about the impact of war on the town of Emerald and hear the stories of individuals involved. They give detailed insight into the lives of locals such as Emerald’s Eliza Wright, whose sons Frederick and Sydney both died in the early stages of the war.
Mr Maloney said it was important that the history of the area was preserved for future generations, and that the stories demonstrated the true effect of war.
“It was important that we included information about every individual soldier, and recognised their stories and involvement in the war.
“We’ve also got a special tribute to Emerald’s only Victoria Cross winner, Donovan Joynt.”
The memorial trail consists of eight pillars, each featuring four Emerald soldiers, as well as additional pillars to commemorate the lone pine, the Unknown Soldier, Anzac place and Donovan Joynt.
The RSL research team spent months locating the photos of as many of the fallen diggers as possible.
Tomorrow morning, an Air Force Roulettes squadron will fly overhead to salute Sir Peter, and the returned diggers will then form a guard of honour.
Following this, the Governor-General will visit the Statue of the Unknown Solder and the opening ceremony will commence. Sir Peter will give an address, and the plaque will be unveiled and a bomb burst will sound as the roulettes revisit the skies overhead.
Emerald will revisit the early 1900s for the day, and many visitors will attend the ceremony in period costume. There will also be veteran cars and bikes, the Light Horse Brigade and the navy band Cerberus will play music popular of the era.
The walk was funded by over $100,000 in grants through the Anzac Centenary program, as well as funding from the State Government and council.
The grants are part of the celebrations for the centenary of World War I.
Anzac Walk connects the existing cenotaph at the intersection of Main Road and Kilvington Drive to Anzac Place, adjacent to the RSL Club.
A new footpath has been installed along Memorial Avenue, allowing visitors to the memorial many places for reflection.
All residents are invited to attend the opening of the Anzac Walk. The ceremony will be held at 11.30am on Wednesday 11 March at Memorial Avenue, Emerald (adjacent to the RSL Club).
