By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THE Bunyip community is rallying together this year for the Anzac Centenary with several services and community gatherings organised for the day of remembrance made special by some local volunteers.
This year’s Anzac Day will see a newly refurbished cenotaph in Bunyip with the addition of engraved blue stone steps.
Bunyip RSL secretary David Papley researched the information that has been engraved on the steps.
“The monument is on a slope of grass, the grass has been removed and three terrace steps from the top to the bottom of the monument have been added,” Mr Papley said.
“The blue stone is engraved with the names of the places where the fallen soldiers died with some information about their WWI battles,” Mr Papley said.
The steps will be officially unveiled in Bunyip Main Street on Wednesday 8 April at 2pm.
The Bunyip Bendigo Bank gave a grant of $4500 to the upgrade and the Cardinia Shire Council has pledged $1500.
Mr Papley said the total cost of the steps was $6000. After the official unveiling, the Bunyip community has a big Anzac Day planned with a service in Garfield at 1pm, with the Bunyip march taking off at 2pm.
An original restored army jeep will lead the way once again, with soldiers, local community services and the Cardinia Civic Band marching behind.
The march will conclude at the Bunyip hall where the band and Bunyip ladies singers will put on a concert.
The Bunyip Junior Football Club will hold a service on Sunday 26 April where a member from the Cardinia Civic Band will play the bugle and the army jeep will also be on show, and on Friday 24 April a service will be held at Hillview Bunyip Aged Care at 11am.
