By Alana Mitchelson
REMEMBRANCE Day marked the opening of Berwick Lodge’s memorial garden in honour of local war servicemen.
The project was supported by the State Government and the Victorian Veterans Council through an Anzac Centenary grant.
Assistant principal Sandra McCrum said the memorial garden would become the focal point for future assemblies and an area not only for the school, but the local community to pay their respects to local war veterans.
“The memorial garden provides the opportunity to acknowledge our veterans and educate our students about the sacrifices of those who have fallen,” she said.
“Within the garden, we honour a fallen soldier, William Donovan Joynt who resided locally and won the Victoria Cross for his ‘most conspicuous bravery’ and include information about the significance of the local area as a soldier settlement after the war.”
The garden was built with the generous assistance of parents Brett Fritzlaff and Luke Mackenzie who paved the area, Ryan Johnston from Coates Hire, Andy Coupar from Eskape Landscapes who designed and built the garden, art teacher Julie McLeod, Helen Harman who made a ‘Field of Poppies’ mosaic with students which adorns a brick wall and also teacher Robert Kelly for his creative work with signage.
Chris McKenna and members from the Berwick RSL, including Ray Heathcote who attended the service, were involved with the project. The RSL purchased signs to display information in the garden.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley opened the garden, acting on behalf of Minister for Veterans Affairs John Eren, and she spoke of young local soldiers who lied about their age to serve their country at war.
“The Victorian Government has an important role to play in sharing the story of veterans’ service with the younger generations,“ Mr Eren said.
“This project is a fine example of the impact of this support”.
All the students made a special poppy which were displayed around the memorial at the service.
