Apr2014_CENTENARY OF GALLIPOLI: ANZAC DAY 2015

To commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landing the Dayboro War Memorial Association will erect memorials to the men from the Dayboro District who paid the supreme sacrifice during the 1st. World War. These columns will surround the W.W.1 Cenotaph in Roderick Cruice Park. 

The memorials will consist of 3 columns, each 1.8 mtrs high and made up of six triangular shaped blocks of black granite each 300 mm high and weighing 80 kgs.  The bottom 2 blocks will sit squarely with each other and the top 4 blocks will have a slight twist on their axis of 75mm to the block below.  Inscribed onto the front face of each of the top 5 blocks of each column will be details of one of the men killed in action, 15 in all.  

These memorials will be there for many generations and will honour those men with the dignity and respect they deserve.  A grant of $14000 has been obtained from the Department Of Veteran Affairs to help with the costs.  This project however will cost considerably more than the grant and the Dayboro War Memorial Association will be holding fund raising events between now and 2015 to raise the balance of funds along with a public pledge appeal.  

The Dayboro Rodeo Association, the Dayboro Lions and the Dayboro Cowboys Rugby League Club have kindly offered assistance and donations as they do each year for Anzac Day.  The usual Anzac Day 2 UP will be held at the Dayboro Bowls Club at 1.00pm on Anzac Day and funds raised from raffles, a sausage sizzle and any donations will be put towards this very worthwhile project.  This is always a bit of fun so please come along.  

Also, as a fund raiser, a war related memorabilia museum will be set up at the Showgrounds in the old vet building on Dayboro Day and will feature Russell Plunkett’s  “The Peace Keepers – A Poetic Tribute to the Spirit of ANZAC” that is  currently on display in Parliament House (see story about this in separate article).  Entry will be by gold coin donation.  We would be grateful if anyone has any items we could display.  Smaller items will be kept secure in glass cases and all items displayed will be in a secure building that will be manned at all times.  

If you wish to contribute to our fundraising, or have items to display please contact Richard Hawkins on 0418 735 626 or 3289 9208 or hawkins.family1@bigpond.com

For further information regarding Anzac Day Anzac Day Services this year see separate Anzac Day article.