By GARRY HOWE
THE line of 40 oak trees that form Kooweerup’s new Avenue of Honour could not have had a more appropriate address than along Rossiter Road, where the old railway station once stood.
Prominent local businessman Michael Duff pointed out at Sunday’s official opening ceremony that the place those 40 district soldiers who didn’t make it home are now honoured was possibly the last place they saw.
“Most of these men would have left on the train, so this is quite possibly their last glimpse of home,” he said.
“Their last image of the place as the train pulled out could well have been the Royal Hotel over the road and the blacksmith’s store that used to be next door.”
Each of the 40 trees are dedicated to a different soldier, marked by a plaque, and their service detail is explained in an accompanying memorial wall.
The Avenue of Honour is the latest project for the Kooweerup sub-branch under the leadership of president Ron Ingram, following on from the 2007 opening of the new cenotaph in nearby Cochrane Park. Next, they want to establish a military museum as part of redevelopment plans at the bowls club.
Mr Ingram became emotional when acknowledging his sub-branch members.
“What a team; absolutely the best,” he said. “How wonderful and humbling it is to be the president of such a great group.”
Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent had the honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon to declare the avenue open – and was joined by RSL members.
He predicted the area would develop into one of the most beautiful parts of Kooweerup.
“Memories of these comrades will never die as long as these trees are lending shade along this avenue for many years to come,” he said.
The big crowd that turned out for the opening could have been forgiven for thinking they had been transported back in time to the Great War era.
Bernie Dingle and his crew from the Light Horse and Field Artillery Museum and Nar Nar Goon were out in force, as was the Great War Re-enactment Association.
There were World War I soldiers and nurses wandering around the place everywhere – even Simpson and his Donkey made an appearance.
They formed part of a Catafalque Party that wound its way up Rossiter Street as former Kooweerup Secondary College principal Geoff Pledge, an honorary sub-branch member, read the names of all 40 soldiers as CFA members and local Scouts unveiled the plaques.
Singer Brian Candy gave a rousing rendition of When The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, Joan Davey read the Lord’s Prayer, Geoff Stokes The Ode to the Fallen and the re-enactment association members performed a presentation of arms that had the local Cubs and Scouts covering their ears.
The avenue was consecrated and dedicated by Reverend Mark Kelly.
Cardinia Shire deputy mayor Graeme Moore and his Port Ward colleague David Young, whose mother Wilma was a decorated former POW nurse in World War II, officially opened the memorial wall and Mr Ingram was joined by Lieutenant Melanie Verho from HMAS Cerberus in laying a commemorative wreath.
MC Peter Bottomly then wound up what was a wonderful tribute event and invited the crowd into the adjoining community centre for morning tea.
