By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
“TODAY is all about the 32.”
Emerald RSL president Peter Maloney’s voice rang out over the crowd gathered at the opening of Anzac Walk in Emerald last Wednesday.
Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove along with other distinguished guests including Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Michael Ronaldson, CEO of Anzac House Michael Annett, MP for La Trobe Jason Wood, mayor of Cardinia Leticia Wilmot and members of the Emerald RSL to commemorate Emerald’s 32 soldiers who never returned from World War I.
Sir Peter arrived at the ceremony on Puffing Billy, accompanied by local school children dressed in period costumes and representatives of Emerald’s fallen heroes. Welcomed by the navy band from Cerberus, he acknowledged the community’s effort in staging such an event.
“What the community has done here is very special,” he told the Emerald community and invited guests, including descendants of those commemorated.
“Indeed, 100 years on from the start of the First World War, you’ve decided to dedicate yourself to the memory of those who served our nation during the conflict, and those 32 local men who never returned home from their service on those distant foreign shores.”
Speaking of the effects of war on the fledgling nation, Sir Peter said that “nothing before or since has had the same impact on our nation.”
With total Australian casualties sitting at over 215,000, 39 per cent of Australian men aged 18-44 joined the war effort.
“The First World War certainly demonstrated a feeling of nationhood,” he said.
“There were the shared losses and heartbreak, and yet at the same time, there was great pride in this generation of wonderful Australians.”
The walk features 10 different audio stations, where visitors can learn about the impact of the war on the town of Emerald and hear the stories of individuals involved.
The stories of the soldiers are displayed on eight pillars, and four additional pillars commemorate the lone pine, the Unknown Soldier, Anzac Place and Lieutenant Colonel Donovan Joynt.
Members of the RSL beamed as the Royal Air Force Roulettes Squadron flew overhead and Sir Peter paid tribute to the beauty of the area.
“It is Lynne and my first visit to Emerald, but after seeing the beauty of the area, the thrill of the train and the quiet dignity of this space; it won’t be our last visit. We must come back and spend more time,” he said.
“It is a very significant day.”
