A good crowd filled Bega’s main street on Saturday, May 25, to mark the centenary commemoration of the town’s memorial gate.
Those in attendance heard the history of the gate, which was a officially dedicated 100 years ago, carrying the 66 names of servicemen from the Bega area who enlisted in World War I but never returned home.
The names of Bega’s 66 fallen World War I soldiers were called out to the beat of a drum as family members and local school students hung photos of each of them in a ceremony held to remember those who died in the First World War.
Retired Historian from Canberra, Dr Richard Reed, gave the commemorative address, saying the most significant impact of World War I in Australia was grief.
“There might be some pride hidden behind those names, my son, husband, friend, did his duty for Australia, joined up, fought and gave his life, but I would suggest also that hidden here is an especially strong, enduring, personal grief at the loss of a loved one, relative or close friend” Dr Reed said during his speech.
Dr Reed, said the memorial still holds meaning and connection for the people of the Bega Valley.
“Obviously families are connected if they have a name on it, and that’s the big connection, as well as with the community who knew those involved in all the wars and conflicts we’ve been in, if it doesn’t mean something to them, then it doesn’t mean anything in a way, it’s their memorial and I think that’s why we’re here today to celebrate that and to remember that.”
Eden Monaro MP, Kristy McBain, was in attendance along with other dignitaries, and told ARN Bega Bay she hoped it would continue preserving the memories of all the district’s servicemen and women.
“We should always acknowledge the people who have sacrificed their lives and livlihoods for our country, particularly those generational families that we know so well across the Bega Valley,” Minister McBain said.
“I think the work done on the memorial and the precinct is money well spent, this has pride of place in the town and will continue to have pride of place in the town for the next 100 years.”
The occasion saw close to $60,000 spent on the celebrations and giving the memorial and the memorial area a lift, as well as the commissioning of a new mural on the wall next to it.
The mural depicts the silhouette of three soldiers, representing the Army, Navy and Air Force, standing next to an eternal flame and above poppies.
“The side of the reject shop wall was just a big blank grey wall with a bit of amateur graffiti on it, nothing too pretty but now the wall along with the rest of the park has been restored into a much more beautiful, tranquil and respectful environment,” Ms Tuckwell said.
The 16 metre-long mural commissioned by the Bega RSL Sub Branch, features four portraits of war veterans connected to the Far South Coast.
The first panel is of Colonel Irwin and the First World War era.
The second depicts Sister Vivian Bullwinkle and the Second World War era.
The third, reflects on Vietnam, the Malayan emergency and the Indonesian confrontation and shows machine gun operator Ronny Keft, (Bega local and uncle of 2EC/Power FM Sales Manager, Emma Keft) who was wounded in Vietnam with the second image of John Leeman from the Bornio confrontation.
The fourth and final panel is dedicated to Australia’s role in more recent conflicts and shows Warrant Officer Class 1 and Bega local, Regimental Sergeant Major, Darryl ‘Ship’ Holzhauser, who served in Timor and Afganistan.
Darren’s father, Ronald Holzhauser, stood admiring the artwork of his son and said he couldn’t be prouder.
“I’ve been coming every day since they started the mural and I’m stunned by how beautiful it is,” Mr Holzhauser told ARN Bega Bay.
“He led the march and he loves the Army, and I’m just so proud of him and he’s proud of himself too.”
Another well known Bega local who features on the mural is local Indigenous man Adrian Luff who served in the Navy for 10 years.
His eldest daughter, Brownyn Luff, was on site with other members of the family, for the centenary.
“I’m very proud and honoured that my late dad, is a part of this mural in our community,” Ms Luff said.
“Dad was a proud serviceman who every year on ANZAC Day, he would always take part in the Dawn Service and the march, and it was always a big thing for our family, and that’s why we continue to honour him and other family members that have served as well as other Bega locals.”
Adrian Luff was also one of the first Indigenous people in NSW and possibly Australia to carry the Aboriginal Flag during the ANZAC Day march.
The mural artist, Ms Tuckwell, said she was proud of her work, and hoped the mural would be a poignant reminder of Bega’s wartime history for generations to come.
“I’ve been looking at photos of this strapping lad from Vietnam and a fellow came up to me the other day, and it’s obviously a few years on from that and he said that’s me you’re going to be painting, so just to remember that these men were just young lads when they went over and we’ve recieved lots of positive feedback about respecting these people who fought for us,” Ms Tuckwell said.
“I’m not in support of war and I don’t know that many of the people who fought were, but they went and I think I want people to look at the mural and respect their sacrifice.”
Images: James Fennessy – ARN Bega Bay
