UNMARKED and unremembered for decades, the legacy of Penshurst’s war veterans will be properly commemorated following a successful community campaign.
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The town’s historical society has gained $2650 in federal funding to erect a polished granite memorial at the Boram Boram Cemetery in recognition of its ex-servicemen.
The group has identified 29 Penshurst veterans who served in World War I, eight of whom are in unmarked graves. Only three have headstones which denote their war service.
Mount Rouse and District Historical Society secretary Val Heffernan said the grant would enable the group to fulfil its long-held goal of properly commemorating its veterans. She said the polished granite memorial will be erected at the entrance to the cemetery.
“I had a few tears of joy when I heard we’d got the funding,” Mrs Heffernan said.
“It was wonderful news. The stone memorial has been ordered and we’re making the final touches on the historical book.”
The memorial and a historical book are set to be unveiled at a special afternoon tea in Penshurst scheduled for February.
Koroit Historical Society also secured federal funding for its book documenting the district’s war veterans.
The book, Duty Nobly Done, will be compiled by both the Koroit and Port Fairy historical societies, with much of the research undertaken by amateur historian James Affleck.
