By RUSSELL BENNETT
JUST over a year after Emerald’s Anzac Walk and Anzac Place was officially unveiled in the town, the site has been recognised with a key award at the town’s PAVE Festival.
The site neighbouring the Emerald RSL was officially opened by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove in March last year and has since gone on to hold a special place in the hearts and minds of those who call the town home.
With Anzac Day – one of the most significant days on the nation’s calendar – rapidly approaching, Emerald RSL president Peter Maloney said it was as if the project was “meant to be”.
He choked back tears at the unveiling last year, showing just what the sacred place means to him.
And when he looks at it now, it’s clear that it’s become part of the fabric of the community.
The RSL was recognised during the PAVE Festival for ‘The Planning and Construction of Anzac Walk and Anzac Place’ and Mr Maloney couldn’t be prouder.
“The people of Emerald have recognised it, acknowledged it and said thank you,” he said.
“It’s great. It makes me feel really proud that the little embryo of an idea we once had just grew and took form.”
Since becoming Emerald RSL president, it has been Mr Maloney’s goal to increase the profile of the club in the community. It’s now not just a club for returned servicemen and women, but one for the whole community.
A Vietnam veteran, Mr Maloney has only been a part of the Emerald RSL for four years. Prior to that he refused to even step foot inside.
“I wouldn’t go anywhere near an RSL for so long, but this is different,” he said.
“It’s home.”
The Emerald RSL will hold its Anzac Day dawn service from 5.30am at Anzac Place this Monday. It’s a day the whole hills community stands together as one.
“It’s got a life of its own now, the dawn service,” Mr Maloney said.
“It’s so powerful – it’s got a soul and you can feel it when you’re there. It’s just amazing.”
Anzac Walk honours the 32 fallen World War I soldiers from the local area, with their names and war histories chronicled along an audio trail that follows the path of the town’s former Heroes Avenue. Mr Maloney said the next step was to do a similar thing in recognising those who fought in World War II and the Vietnam War.
