Memorial rededicated for 100th anniversary
The Longwarry and District War Memorial was rededicated yesterday on the 100th anniversary of its installation in the town on the first anniversary of Remembrance Day, then known as Armistice Day, and just one year after World War 1 ended.
The memorial is now at its third location on Longwarry Memorial Park after originally being installed as a roundabout at the corner of Mackey St and Princes Avenue.
Increasing road traffic made it a dangerous location, especially for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services, leading to its relocation in the 1970s to near the town’s public hall and then to what is now known as Longwarry Memorial Park.
Russell Ford of the Longwarry and District History Group said the current location fulfilled the wishes of people from the Longwarry, Labertouche and Modella districts that raised 300 pounds ($600) a century ago to have the memorial built and located in a prominent position in the town.
Mr Ford said a group of residents from Longwarry, Modella and Labertouche formed the Longwarry Soldiers’ Memorial League in 1917 as news increased of local men killed and others seriously wounded returned home.
The purpose was to welcome home the soldiers on their returns and give them a public reception and gold medal. Families of those that didn’t return received commemorative plaques and certificates.
The League also decided it should raise money for a permanent memorial to all district men and women that served.
Drouin Anglican Parish’s Reverend Dean Spalding led yesterday’s rededication in front of a strong Remembrance Day attendance that included Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood and Baw Baw Shire councillors
Keith Cook and Tricia Jones and chief executive officer Alison Leighton.
As well as a tribute to those from the district that served in World War 1 the memorial now recognises those that have since served in subsequent wars and conflicts and in today’s defence forces.