Every final resting site with a World War I link at Ballarat’s cemeteries will be marked with an Australian flag ahead of Anzac Day commemorations on Wednesday.
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Pupils from MacArthur Street and Pleasant Street primary schools took time out on Monday to plant flags on the graves at the Ballarat Old Cemetery.
Across both of Ballarat’s cemeteries, more than 1300 graves will be marked so when dawn breaks on Anzac Day the flags will flutter at the graves of every First World War soldier known to be buried or commemorated there.
“We know we have more than 1000 soldiers buried here and at least 15 nurses, and we would really like to show that we do remember their service and sacrifice,” said Ballarat General Cemeteries chief executive Annie DeJong.
“It’s about remembering the people who served our country and made it what it is today … a sign of respect and saying thanks for what they did to make the country what it is.”
In addition to those buried in the cemeteries, there are another 160 headstones that remember a soldier who was killed, and still lies, at Gallipoli or France or Belgium or Palestine or in the UK.
Ms DeJong said it was wonderful to have the pupils involved in the flag project.
“It’s about the kids understanding the history because hopefully they won’t see another conflict like we have seen in the past. We remember and thank the people who went to war on our behalf and this helps to keep the next generation involved and the memory alive.
“We hope they will continue to be involved in the future when we broaden our focus to research and remember those who served in the Second World War and other conflicts since then,” she said.
Flags will also be available at the entrance to both cemeteries on Anzac Day for the public to place on other graves.
Ballarat will honour its war heroes in Anzac Day services across the region at Ballarat, Sebastopol, Buninyong, Creswick, Kingston, Bungaree, Miners Rest, Clunes, Daylesford and Beaufort.