A NEW war memorial commemorating returned servicemen and women from the Rokewood area will be unveiled on Saturday.
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The Rokewood RSL has worked tirelessly over the past three years to ensure every detail of the new memorial was completed correctly.
Saturday’s dedication and opening at the site in Ferrars Street will feature local returned servicemen and women, Golden Plains Shire councillors and mayor and Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson.
Rokewood RSL president John Anthony said it was federal funding which got the updated memorial over the line.
“The government have been great in providing the money for it and what has transpired is a very nice tribute,” Mr Anthony said.
“It means a lot to all of the returned servicemen from the area and of course will always be there to remember those who have passed.”
A returned serviceman himself, Mr Anthony said aspects of the old memorial – which has been at the site since about 1920 – and the new combined to pay tribute to those who had fought in World War 1, World War 11 and Vietnam.
The new memorial features a Long Tan cross, paying tribute to the men who fought and lost their lives during the battle of Long Tan in Vietnam on August 18, 1966.
The World War 1 and 11 wall, which features a flood-lit “Lest We Forget” at the back, pays tribute to men and women who served in the navy, army and air force.
A large vinyl banner runs across the top of the memorial, with pictures relevant to each service, including the HMAS Sydney, a soldier playing the bugle, a digger’s hat and poppies.
“This memorial is dedicated to the defence of democracy and freedom,” the plaques below each service reads.
“By the men and women ... who came from the Rokewood District and served their country and those who died for their country in World War 1, World War 11, and all the conflicts that have involved Australians forces since World War 11.”
patrick.byrne@fairfaxmedia.com.au
