A special Remembrance Day as Inverloch unveils new tribute
More than 200 people gathered in Inverloch for Remembrance Day, but this year's commemorations included something a little different, with a new tribute unveiled for the community.
The official opening of a new Heritage Mural made Remembrance Day particularly special in Inverloch on Wednesday, November 11, as more than 200 people gathered to honour the event.
Following the traditional ceremony at the Inverloch cenotaph, attendees gathered behind the basketball stadium at the Inverloch Hub for the official unveiling of a series of commemorative panels recognising Australia's military history.
The Inverloch RSL project has transformed the wall along the route veterans take when marching from their clubrooms to the cenotaph.
RSL president Lindsay Guerin said the wall, which previously had been graffitied, had bothered him for some time, prompting the idea to create something meaningful in its place.
The project received a $9000 grant from the Inverloch Community Bank earlier this year, with the RSL contributing the remaining funds.
RSL member Chaz Buccilli painted the wall, while Dr Terry Shannon and Ray Burt produced the panels, which were manufactured and installed by Elite Signs.
The display covers the First and Second World Wars, Korea, the Malayan Emergency, Vietnam and Afghanistan, alongside Australia's peacekeeping operations, reservists and Women's Land Army.
Mr Guerin drew particular attention to the Vietnam War panel, which features servicemen from South Gippsland and Leongatha.
"They're South Gippsland, Leongatha people," he said.
"And yeah, so it had to be here, had to be here."
Bass Coast Shire Mayor Cr Brett Tessari officially opened the mural, praising the RSL and its supporters for bringing the project to life.
"Certainly not glorifying it, but it's a way of remembering what we have done and what these people have sacrificed so we can stand here today and enjoy beautiful Inverloch," Cr Tessari said.
White memorial crosses were also placed beneath the panels, continuing the RSL's tradition of honouring veterans with crosses at the Inverloch cemetery.
Among those in attendance was 101-year-old Second World War veteran Trevor Scott, who earlier recited The Ode during the Remembrance Day service.
The Remembrance Day ceremony also featured an address by former Inverloch RSL president Ross Gabb about Victoria Cross recipient Teddy Sheean, alongside wreath laying by many different local community organisations.
Students from Inverloch-Kongwak Primary School and Bass Coast College also participated.
Federal Member for Monash Mary Aldred praised the students' contributions and reflected on the importance of sharing personal stories of military service.
“We quite rightly talk about dates and numbers on days like Remembrance Day and Anzac Day, but it is also important to tell stories,” Ms Aldred said.
“And I think what this encourages us to do is to reflect on each of our wars, our conflicts, our peacekeepers, our women, our naval history. It's wonderful to see the three colours of the services: Air Force, Army, and Navy, and to reflect on all of those things, and the people and the men and women behind them.”
Inverloch RSL padre Amy Turner blessed the new memorial installation, while Mr Guerin said the sub-branch hoped to further improve the site by landscaping the embankment and potentially adding commemorative poppies for future Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services.
