Bacchus Marsh
Scoop April 18, 2015 Edition 1
Lest we forget: an Anzac special edition
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Shop & farm Gate Over four generations of farming experience has taught us never to trade freshness for convenience, or taste for consistency. Buying directly from the farmer, allows us to harvest as we need, meaning you can have farm fresh produce within 10 minutes of harvesting... and you can’t beat that for freshness! We have a massive network of Australian artisan suppliers, including suppliers of gourmet fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, conserves, jams, cereals, breads, legumes, chutneys, biscuits, sauces, small goods and cheese, allergen friendly and health conscious food.
Juice bar & Coffee Pick up an organic coffee or a freshly squeezed juice and have a browse throughout the shop or enjoy a quiet brunch, quick lunch or delightful afternoon snack.
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We harvest direct from Our Farm every day. Depending on the season, we grow a large range of vegetables, including our famous Grandpa's Tomatoes, available from December to April.
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Portable cenotaph wheels in the Anzac Centenary HOW do you cond u c t a n Anzac Day service on g r o u n d s without a permanent war memorial? You build your own, attach wheels and roll it out for special occasions. The Bacchus Marsh RSL subbranch has used its ingenuity and built a large, portable cross to wheel out for Remembrance Day and Anzac Day services. Due to the wonderful problem of increasing attendances at these services, the RSL subbranch requested shire permission to use parkland next to the RSL hall for big public services. Permission was granted. Bacchus Marsh RSL member Keith Wesley was inspired by the Battle of Long Tan memorial in Vietnam and
began building a replica remembrance cross 2.25m high. He was assisted by the current RSL president David Childs. The hardwood cross was mouted on a portable catafalque base, covered with imitation grass and then blessed by the three local churches. Mr Childs said the cross was rolled out for the first time on Remembrance Day, in November last year. He said: “It takes a couple of strong lads to roll it out because it weighs around 80kg.� He said relocating the services also helped improve safety for the crowds (often approaching 2000) who attended the services. Pictured: The portable cenotaph debuted at Remembrance Day, 2014
Bacchus Marsh Scoop is a fortnightly publication serving Bacchus Marsh and surrounding districts. For all your advertising and editorial needs, contact: Publisher/editor: Renee Robinson Phone: 03 5368 2870 0459 022 364
On this deeply significant day, I honour the sacrifice of all our servicemen and women and their families.
Email: bacchusmarshscoop@gmail.com ABN: 39 790 396 099 Front cover: Faye Threlfall with her grandchildren Lauri and Liam. Story pages 4 & 5.
We will remember them.
AUTHORISED BY CATHERINE KING, 5 LYDIARD ST NTH BALLARAT 3350
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Finding Walter Spencer AN ANCESTRY search helped Faye Threlfall discover some of her grandfather’s military past, and a hidden chest in a farmhouse attic in Vignacourt, France revealed the rest. Like most soldiers, Faye’s grandfather Walter Spencer didn’t talk much about his experiences in World War One, even though his role was a signaller specialising in communications. So Faye decided to do an ancestry search about 15-years-ago. She learned that Walter’s dad was a miner in Blackwood who was widowed and remarried. Walter and his half-brother Robert were both born in Blackwood and enlisted in the Great War. “When we moved to Bacchus Marsh, I didn’t know he was born near here,” Faye said. “I got involved with the Avenue of Honour committee because my grandfather is not commemorated anywhere that I know of, so it broke my heart to think any of the avenue trees would be destroyed.” Walter was assigned to the 29th battalion and left Australia on November 10, 1915. After training in Egypt he became a signaller and was part of the 5th Division Signal Company at Ferry Post, Suez. His company arrived in Marseille, France, in late June 1916. Faye said: “The 29th was just about wiped out at Fromelles. It was pure luck that he got moved to the signallers a week after he landed, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.” Walter’s role as a signaller was to keep vital communications open between the frontlines and rear echelon headquarters. He was often exposed to enemy artillery, rifle and machine-gun fire as he scurried between trench lines to reconnect severed cables. Battalion records showed that Walter Spencer arrived in Vignacourt on November 7, 1916. Almost 100-years later, 4000 glass photographic plates of soldiers, including Walter Spencer, were discovered in chests in an old farmhouse attic in Vignacourt. The images were purchased by entrepreneur Kerry Stokes and given to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Faye said the photographic discovery of a young, uniformed Walter Spencer at Vignacourt was very emotional because she only had one photo of her grandfather in a suit after he returned from the war. “I can see my grandson Liam in him,” she said. Soon after the Armistice, Walter went to England as part of the Australian Army Ordnance Corps, where he met and married Englishwoman Dulcie Pink. Faye said: “My oldest uncle was born over there before they came back to live in Brunswick. They had five children, three boys and two girls. My mother Jeannie was born there.” She said her uncle Ernie was in every battle in WWII and her uncle Norman was a signaller in the 2nd 24th battalion and one of the Rats of Tobruk. Her remaining uncle on her mother’s side went to officer training school in Portsea. Walter Spencer died in 1973 at a nursing home in Macleod, Victoria and is buried in Carlton’s Melbourne Cemetery. The remarkable discovery of her grandfather’s military past has only spurred on Faye’s passion for history. Faye and her grandson Liam joined the Creswick Lighthorse Brigade and will march with them from the Shrine of Remembrance onto the MCG next Friday for the Richmond vs Melbourne Anzac clash. The Lighthorse will carry the eternal flame. Liam will wear the Lighthorse uniform while Faye’s outfit is that of an Anzac nurse. She said she met the costume designer of Anzac Girls while participating in a re-enactment of the 42nd highland regiment and Nelson’s navy. “I told him about the Lighthorse and how I would like to be in it and he said ‘how about you be a nurse?’ I didn’t know he was doing Anzac Girls at the time,” she said. A friend created the costume for her and also a miniature version for her granddaughter Lauri. “I feel so proud of them (grandchildren) when we march,” she said. “It’s really important to me to carry on the tradition. In my opinion the Anzacs were the real founding of our nation.”
Walter Spencer’s photo (left) was among 4000 glass photographic plates to be discovered in chests in an old farmhouse attic in Vignacourt, France in 2011 by a small group of French, British and Australian war historians and journalists. The photos, including about 400 Australian soldiers on respite at Vignacourt from the Western Front, were taken by husband and wife photographers Louis and Antoinette Thuillier in 1916 and described as “one of the most important discoveries from the First World War” by Ashley Ekins, the head of military history at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Many of the soldiers remain unidentified. Battalion records showed that Walter Spencer arrived in Vignacourt on November 7, 1916, which would certainly be the period when he posed for the Thuilliers. The images feature in The Lost Diggers by Ross Coulthart, published by Harper Collins.
Bacchus Marsh Scoop
Faye Threlfall with her grandchildren Liam and Lauri
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Age s hal l not we a ry t h e m GRANT and Main streets will be closed off on Sunday, April 19 for a commemorative Anzac march. Returned servicemen and women will be joined by supporters for an Anzac Centenary march from Bacchus Marsh Hospital, along Grant Street and Main Street, to the Bacchus Marsh RSL. The party will be led by the Clans o’ the West Highland Pipe Band and include the Creswick Lighthorsemen and a military catafalque party. Bacchus Marsh RSL president David Childs said April 19 was the commencement of Anzac and April 25 was the ending. “Holding the march on April 19 gives our members the opportunity to go to the centenary march at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on the 25th,” Mr Childs said. He thanked the community for their support and patience. The march in Bacchus Marsh will commence at 2pm at Bacchus Marsh Hospital on Sunday, April 19.
White crosses and red poppies to mark Anzac Centenary THE Bacchus Marsh RSL has something special lined up for the Anzac Centenary on April 25. One hundred white crosses adorned with red poppies will be placed around the cenotaph at the dawn service. RSL president David Childs said he was inspired by the move-ment across Victoria of people who were knitting red poppies to place at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. “The white crosses will have the names of people who served in World War One. We’ll also be giving out poppies at the dawn service,” Mr Childs said. For those who aren’t early risers, the Bacchus Marsh RSL will be conducting several services throughout Saturday, April 25. The dawn service will kick off at 6am outside the Bacchus Marsh RSL on Main St. Following the service there will be a free breakfast until 8am at the Shire Hall supplied by the Bacchus Marsh SES and
the Bacchus Marsh RSL Women’s Auxiliary. At 8.45am RSL members will hold a service at the Bacchus Marsh Rifle Club for a special commemorative shoot. Maddingley Park will fall silent to the sounds of ‘The Last Post’ at 2.45pm when the RSL conducts a service prior to the Aussie
Rules Anzac derby between the Darley Devils and the Bacchus Marsh Cobras senior teams. Mr Childs reminded people to support the welfare work at Anzac House by purchasing special centenary tokens at Foodworks, IGA, The Village and outside the Westpac bank.
“Please support the RSL members, wives and volunteers who sell these tokens,” he said. “We appreciate the generosity of the people of Bacchus Marsh and surrounding districts for their kind thoughts and support in buying the tokens and being there on the day.”
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Local derby will honour Anzacs and channel their spirit THE Anzac derby between the Bacchus Marsh Cobras and the Darley Devils is all about honouring the Anzacs and channelling their spirit on the footy field, say club presidents Adam Sutherland and Grant Wright. “I think footy has been great in raising Australians’ awareness of Anzac Day, but it’s a shame it has taken footy to raise this awareness,” Sutherland said. “If we can help and contribute in some small way to show we respect, honour and remember them, then that’s great. If we can help engender the Anzac spirit in the kids, then that’s awesome.” He said he’d been going to the Bacchus Marsh RSL dawn service for Anzac Day for the past five years and watched the crowds grow over the years. “Long may they grow,” he said. “This year has added significance being the 100th anniversary and will be very emotional and a day of good will. It’s a whole other level.” He said the Bacchus Marsh Football Club had recently installed a flagpole at Maddingley Park in time for the centenary match. Grant Wright said when the Darley Football Club hosted the clash last year they had more than 3,500 people come through the gate. “This is the biggest game of the year bar a final, not just because of the gate takings,” he said.
“This is about the U18s, reserves and seniors going onto the fields in the tradition and spirit of the Anzacs. We try to get some of the Diggers to speak to the guys in the rooms before the match.” He said the clubs were playing for
Grant Wright (left) and Adam Sutherland prepare for battle on the footy field
ANZAC Centenary LEST WE FORGET 1915 - 2015
the Light – Wheelahan shield and the player of the match would win a special Anzac Day medal. He said each club would contribute $250 to the local RSL and RSL donation tins would also be placed around the grounds. An RSL service will start when the reserves game concludes and
To the fallen and returned, past and current Australian servicemen and women, I wish to extend, on behalf of my constituents, our thanks and gratitude for your service on this our Centenary of ANZAC, 2015.
the senior game commences at 2.45pm. Wright said: “It’s hard for people to get their kids up for the dawn service but this is another full Anzac service they can experience.” The Anzac Derby takes place on Anzac Day, Saturday, April 25, at Maddingley Park at 2.45pm.
Don Nardella MLA Member for Melton
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Avenues of Honour - in the beginning By the Bacchus Marsh Historical Society Coimadai was the first local town to come up with the idea of a Memorial Avenue and JL Bourke called a meeting on May 3, 1918. The idea was to plant and name a tree for each soldier who enlisted from the town and also for the students who had attended the local school. Planting was to take place on June 21 and the committee chose Cupressus Lambertiana trees, of which 24 were ordered. In June, the Coimadai committee had changed their minds and ordered oaks and oriental planes instead and were prepared to carry the cost of the rails and pickets to protect and identify the trees. On June 26, Coimadai had their planting day. The committee had planted the trees earlier in the day and in the afternoon local school children assembled in the school grounds and each carried a flag of one of the allied countries and marched to the Avenue. A speech was made by Sergeant JH Lister MHR. The children were then lined up beside each tree. At each tree a soldier who had given his life had the tree dedicated to his Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour, courtesy State Library memory by Reverand Davis and a schoolgirl laid a wreath on a small cross.
Ballan Shire Historical Society Inc. presents
“We Remember” An exhibition commemorating the Great War 1914 - 1918 Featuring displays by the Red Cross, Historical Society, RSL. Model Aircraft and Warship.
Memorabilia, medals and diaries.
School students’ work and diorama depicting the landing at Gallipoli.
Information on Ballan Shire soldiers.
Saturday, April 18 - Saturday, May 9, 2015 10am - 4pm each day Ballan RSL Hall 146 Inglis St, Ballan
Rowsley had an Arbour Day celebration on Friday, July 6, 1918 and dedicated 22 trees to their local soldiers who had attended the local school. By this stage Myrniong were also looking at dedications and memorials. Myrniong settled on August 9 as planting day. By May 1918, the Bacchus Marsh councillors wanted the same idea for Bacchus Marsh. Cr Morton thought the local people could supply the nameplate - an idea already used for Ballarat. Cr Morton also subscribed the idea of one long memorial avenue stretching from Melbourne to Ballarat. The Bacchus Marsh committee were putting ads in the paper to gauge interest. A decision was reached at a meeting to put the cost of planting back to the council so all ratepayers were responsible, not just a few. The Bacchus Marsh committee were worried that they were not going to be able to get enough trees and council were concerned the names may overlap with the outlying districts and Myrniong. However a decision was reached to have the avenue planted along the main road into Bacchus Marsh as there was a strong feeling of having a continuous avenue from Melbourne to Ballarat. The day chosen for planting was August 3. The Bacchus Marsh Shire Council was to act as guarantor for the costs, however citizens were encouraged to pay for one or two trees each. The privilege of dedicating a tree was extended to friends who wanted to provide for soldiers connected with the district, but who did not enlist here. The date was moved to August 10 as the nameplates and timber for tree guards were not available. Elms were chosen because the Country Roads Board did not want evergreen trees as they would make the roads wet and slippery in winter. The trees also had to be planted 23 feet from the centre of the road.
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The soldiers of the Avenue Tree 95: Charlie Edwards
Tree 119: Cornelius Hanrahan
Charlie Edwards from Bacchus
Cornelius Hanrahan was a member of the 14th Battalion, colloquially known as “Jacka’s Mob” after Albert Jacka, the first Australian to win a VC in the war.
Marsh was one of our first volunteers to enlist. A member of the 4th Lighthorse, he then transferred to the 2nd Anzac Lighthorse and later the 22nd Lighthorse. He returned to Australia for submarine guard duty from September 15, 1918.
Tree N185: Lieutenant Neil McLachlan MC
Cornelius was injured at the First Battle of Bullecourt on April 11, 1917 but was able to rejoin his unit on August 8, 1917 and saw out the rest of the war with the 14th.
Tree S164: Hon. Captain Rupert Theo Vance Moon VC Rupert was born in Bacchus Marsh on August 14, 1892 to Arthur Moon and Helen Dunning. On August 21, 1914 he enlisted in the AIF 4th Lighthorse Regiment, A Squadron. He disembarked in Egypt in December 1914. In January 1916 he transferred to Regimental Headquarters as an Acting Sergeant, trumpeter and was further promoted to Sergeant in March. He embarked for France in June 1916. Three weeks after disembarking at Marseilles, France, Rupert transferred to the 2nd ANZAC Mounted Regiment but two months later transferred to the 58th Battalion as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was granted two weeks leave in England in January 1917 before attending a School of Instruction for a month and then promoted to Lieutenant. On the May 12, 1917, during the Second Battle of Bullecourt, Rupert was wounded four times while leading his men against an enemy strong point. For his actions this day he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Following his convalescence in an English hospital, he resumed duty in April 1918. He was appointed a Temporary Captain in February 1919 and when this relinquished on his return to Australia in early August, 1919, he was awarded the rank of Honorary Captain. Rupert died in 1986 and is buried at Mt Duneed Cemetery, Victoria.
School teacher Neil McLachlan enlisted in the 6th Battalion on 26 February 1916 and was quickly promoted through the ranks. Wounded in July 1916, he recovered and was awarded the Military Crossin October 1917 for ‘Conspicuousgallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great dash and determination against an enemy strong point which was holding up the platoon on his left. He engaged from the flank, and captured it with 22 prisoners.’ In January of 1918 he was made Lieutenant. Much loved by his platoon who referred to him as ‘Mack’, on the morning of August 10, 1918, he was advancing with his platoon on Rosieres Ridge when they came under heavy machine gun fire. Lieutenant Neil McLachlan was killed instantly. Tree N263: Captain Packington Joseph Vallence Packington ‘Pack’ Vallence was born on January 20, 1877 in Maddingley, to James and Margaret of the Vallence Family Hotel (otherwise known as Stoney’s). Pack first represented his country when he enlisted for duty in the 1899 – 1902 Boer War. In 1906 he married Katherine Maloney and they settled in Bacchus Marsh. He heard the call to bear arms once more and enlisted at the outbreak of World War One. Leading the first group of enlistees from the Marsh, Pack was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on March 23, 1915 in the 4th Light Horse. During the course of the war he served in the 4th Light Horse, 1st A & NZ Mounted Regiment, 2nd Anzac Regiment, 22nd Corps Light Horse Regiment, Light Horse training depots, 22nd Mounted Regiment and 13th Light Horse Regiment as well as Salvage Party 25th Division and Anti Aircraft section. At the end of the war Pack was appointed Captain. He returned to Australia on September 15, 1919, but it was to be a brief reunion with his wife Katherine who died on Boxing Day 1919. Pack became the first president of the local branch of the RSL and died in Caulfield Military Hospital on December 2, 1926.
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The curious case of the Balliang wreath Each year, on Anzac Day, a mysterious wreath is left on the steps of the Balliang Hall without a note. Neighbour Debra Denny said the wreath was usually left at the front doors, although most people use the side doors. “A wreath has been left there for the past six or seven years in succession,” she said. “It’s not very floral and is usually made out of greenery and is always without a card. “Who is leaving the wreath and who are they remembering every year?” She said Balliang was a very traditional farming area with families dating back to four generations. “I would suspect the person leaving the wreath is an older person from Balliang.” The Bacchus Marsh RSL sub-branch would like to find the person who leaves the wreath and information about who they might be remembering. If you or someone you know is the mysterious wreath owner, please phone 5367 1855 to share your story.
Balliang and District Anzac Memorial Service and Family Day Saturday, April 25, 2015 11am - 3pm Free entry & BBQ - BYO drinks Balliang Community Hall & Recreation Reserve Bacchus Marsh - Balliang Road, Balliang
~ Anzac Service and tree planting ceremony 11am - 11.30am
~ BBQ and fun activities for children includes tennis, jumping castles, horizontal bungee, arts & crafts, lego competitions & face painting
11.30am - 3pm
~ AFL Game on big screen 2.30pm - end of game
For event information phone 0422 945 793 or 0418 524 863
Want to promote your business or advertise an upcoming event? Advertise with Bacchus Marsh’s newest, most colourful and affordable publication: Bacchus Marsh Scoop! We can also help you create your own personalised ad. Phone 0459 022 364
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Jock Wright, Margaret Wright and Ian Worsely belong to four generations who have served their country in war
A war chest of medals leaves a lasting legacy JOCK Wright needs a chest broad enough to carry military medals from three different wars. The Vietnam War veteran has medals awarded to his grandfather in World War One, medals from both his mother and father’s service in World War Two, and his own service medals from Vietnam. “My grandfather (Maurice ‘Jock’ Dollery) and his four brothers joined the English army in 1908 because there was no work. Three of his brothers survived and one was killed in action,” he said. “He fought in France and after the war he stayed in the army until about 1924, which is how he got his long service and good conduct medal.” Jock said after the war ended in 1918 his grandparents moved to Malta, where his mother Margaret was born. “In 1938 my mum joined the Women’s Royal Airforce as a teleprinter operator and was in World War Two in 1939,” he said. “My father and his four brothers joined enlisted and he went to England with the 10th squadron RAAF as an airframe fitter. “Mum and dad met in Plymouth, England where they were both involved in coastal command and Sunderland flying boats.”
He said his mother moved to Australia as a war bride and his parents settled in Boort, where Jock and his sister Christine were born. “In 1968 my marble got drawn out of the hat and I was conscripted into national service for two years. I was over in Vietnam for 11 months and 11 days,” he said. “I was on transport convoys and one of our biggest dangers was road mines.” Jock met his future brother-in-law Ian Worsely while he was doing his national service training. Ian was with the 110 signals in Vietnam. Jock said Ian and Christine’s eldest son Adam is the fourth generation to join the army and serve overseas. “Adam joined the army in 1995, then he went to Duntroon and became an officer and served in Timor and Afghanistan. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel about three years ago,” he said. Jock continues to serve his country as the Bacchus Marsh Legacy secretary. He said Legacy currently looked after 92 war widows (including his mother) in Bacchus Marsh. He said he knows he has a unique legacy for his children and grandchildren to cherish and, so that nobody misses out, he has a complete replica set of service medals for each.
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The cairn in the new gazebo at the newly established Coimadai Memorial Park
The memorial cairn as it sat on the edge of the Coimadai-Diggers Rest Road
Cairn relocation on track for official dedication in June fundraising bricks engraved with the names of families, association members, descendants and friends. “We now have the big job of landscaping 1300 square metres of Coimadai Avenue of Honour Restoration Association (CAHRA) parkland,” he said. chairman Ken McDonald said the 18-month project to restore He valued the project at $250,000 and said the majority of that was the Avenue of Honour and relocate the memorial cairn to the donated time and materials from local businesses and people, with memorial park was on schedule. $25,000 from Moorabool Shire Council, $17,000 from the Depart“There will be 129 trees in the new Avenue of Honour. There ment of the Premier and Cabinet Victoria, $12,000 from Living were 112 trees in the original avenue but we’ve discovered more Victoria and $3300 from the federal government’s Anzac Centenary soldiers. The trees are for soldiers who were either born in fund. Coimadai, lived in Coimadai and some of them went to the “Many thousands of hours of labour have gone into it,” he said. Coimadai Primary School,” Mr McDonald said. “The community of Coimadai, which is pretty small, produced 129 volunteers to the war. Often there were three or four from the same family. Their contribution to the war was fantastic. We’ve done a pretty poor job so far of recognising the great sacrifice these people made and we want to fix that up.” He said they were going to replant all of the trees because only 20 of the original trees made it to full maturity. “We’re going to put a time capsule in the ground that will include a memory stick with all the photos and correspondence and history.” He said the memorial cairn was on the roadside and had to be relocated to the picnic ground on the edge of Lake Merrimu. The restoration association and other volunteers have built a gazebo over the cairn to protect it and are paving the area with Old Coimadai now under the water at Merrimu, showing part of the original avenue THE Coimadai Memorial Park is on track for it’s official opening on June 27.
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Avenue trees ready to plant KEN McDonald could give lessons in foresight and making big projects come true. The Coimadai Avenue of Honour Restoration Association chairman applied for a rare Lone Pone sapling from the Canberra War Memorial at the very beginning of the restoration project 18 months ago. “They have terrible trouble propagating them and they are in short supply,” he said. The association also applied through the Coimadai Primary School for a Gallipoli oak and were successful. The oak will be delivered in April. Ken knows the types of trees planted along the Coimadai Avenue of Honour will be talked about and enjoyed for years and said it was important to give them the best start possible. A planting ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 17. Ken McDonald holds a Lone Pine sapling from the Canberra War Memorial.
Coimadai 129 book recognises avenue soldiers A LIMITED edition book titled Coimadai 129 features the 129 volunteers from Coimadai who served in World War. Coimadai Avenue of Honour Restoration Association chairman Ken McDonald said the book included the service history,
The book was compiled by Margaret Love, Bernice Clark and Beryl Ham, and will be launched on June 27, 2015 as part of the dedication of the Coimadai Memorial Park. A memorial wall listing the names of the 129 persons who represented Coimadai and district as service personnel during
family history and the history of the battalions that the
World War One will also be dedicated.
volunteers served in.
The 400 page book will also contain photos that have been
“All research has been completed and the final tally of
sourced from war records and descendants of the volunteers.
volunteers to World War One has reached 129, and
Only 150 copies will be printed, so Mr McDonald recommended
appropriately the book will be entitled Coimadai 129,” Mr McDonald said. “The book has entailed not hundreds, but thousands of hours of research by our team, including many hundreds of emails, letters and conversations with descendants. “This is really a once only opportunity to purchase a comprehensive account of the war and family histories of the Coimadai volunteers.”
pre-payment to order a copy. The book costs $45 and can be collected on June 27, or it can be posted for an additional $13.40. If more than 150 copies are ordered then the association will increase the print run accordingly, however To secure your copy and pre-pay, email Ken McDonald at opalservices@bigpond.com
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Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour roll call
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Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour roll call
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Out and about in the Marsh
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To purchase prints email bacchusmarshscoop@gmail.com
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The Creswick Light Horse at the Ballan Autumn Festival
The Creswick Light Horse Troop was formed in 1995 as a joint initiative of the Creswick Youth Alliance, the Creswick Police, and the Creswick RSL Sub-branch. The troop depicts the Light Horse of World War 1, not to glorify war but to preserve the memory of the Australian Light Horse and to perpetuate the ANZAC traditions such as mateship and national pride, within our current society. From it’s inception the involvement of the
One of the most important days on the calendar for the Creswick Light Horse Troop and Australia is the 25th of April, ANZAC Day. At venues around Victoria the Troop brings history to life with their involvement in these commemorative proceedings and sharpens our awareness of the extreme sacrifice that the members of the Australian Light Horse have made.
youth of Australia has been a major focus of the Troops activities and membership. This level of access to historical context and values has ensured traditions, embodied in the Australian Light Horse, are carried forward within the conscientiousness of our nations future. Beginning with the Creswick Troop, public attention has compelled the growth of affiliate Troops such as Horsham, Corangamite, Bairnsdale and Yarra Valley. The combined membership has grown to the largest in Victoria and has facilitated access by event organisers to the unique display that this organization affords. At venues around Victoria and Interstate the Creswick Light Horse Troop honours all veterans and the spirit of Anzac by their involvement in commemorative ceremonies, special events and parades.
Light Horseman Liam Beech
Bacchus Marsh Scoop
The Last Word Welcome to the first edition of my new publication Bacchus Marsh Scoop! The theme for this edition was pretty easy really. I wouldn’t be doing my job as a journalist and editor if I didn’t acknowledge the sacrifice our diggers made for us 100 years ago. Anzac Day has been in my calendar for as long as I can remember. Firstly because it’s my sister’s birthday. I used to get so jealous that she ALWAYS had a day off from school for her birthday. And to make it worse, she got her own parade! We grew up in a house that was directly opposite the memorial gates of our memorial park, so the highland marching band, returned soldiers and supporters passed by our front door every year. After a few years I realised there was a lot more to it than just a day off school. I asked my grandmother about my grandfather’s war medals (which to this day I’ve only seen glimpses of) and she’d laugh and say: “He was a gonna. He was gonna do this and gonna do that.” I didn’t get the joke until she also passed away. He was a gunner. I’m ashamed to say I still haven’t researched his war service, but after interviewing Faye Threlfall and holding the book The Lost Diggers and looking into those young, brave faces, I’m determined that this centenary year I will trace his footsteps. I know I have other random connections to the First World War. My mother told me last week that she has documents from my paternal great-grandfather relating to the building of the Shrine of Remembrance. Apparently he owned the quarry that supplied the stone that built the Shrine that remembers the soldiers.... you get the picture. I hope everyone can learn a little bit more about our Anzacs over these centenary celebrations. A dawn service is worth getting up for. To this day I’ve never heard a sound more moving than ‘The Last Post’. It was great to hear that the numbers attending the Bacchus Marsh RSL dawn service are on the rise. It would be even better if they get record numbers next Saturday. Lest we forget.
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16
$
ea Somersby Cider 10 Pack x 375ml
FoodWorks supports the responsible service and consumption of alcohol. Persons under the age of 18 will not be served alcohol or tobacco. Offers available from Wednesday 22nd to Tuesday 28th April 2015, unless sold out prior, no rainchecks. Offers exclusive to FoodWorks Bacchus Marsh.
W437671
FoodWorks Bacchus Marsh
1-9 Bennett Street, Bacchus Marsh Ph: 5367 3388 Open: 6:45am-9pm Daily Online store now open! www.foodworks.com.au/bacchusmarsh
$
ea De Bortoli Premium Casks 4l
2 FOR
26 ANY