First service since 1978

SEVEN soldiers from Rheola have been remembered at the town’s first ANZAC commemoration since 1978.

Descendants of World War One casualties William Soulsby, Michael O’Shannessy and Robert Catto joined with families of Paul Grieves, Harold Leach, Albert Vorath and Thomas Leach killed in World War Two to lay wreaths.

The wreaths were placed at the base of the memorial that stands opposite the site of Rheola’s school that closed in 1978, the last time residents had commemorated ANZAC Day.

Inglewood and Bridgewater sub-branch of the RSL organised Tuesday’s service at the suggestion of Glenn Catto who was guest speaker.

“Rheola Primary School’s war memorial was started back in the late 40s with guidance of Cr Stan Catto and the local com- munity,” he told 100 people who had gathered at the roadside plantation and memorial.

“The memorial cairn was built by Bradleys of Inglewood with rocks being sourced from Leach’s paddock near Melville Caves.

“The pine tree behind the cairn was planted by Charlotte Poyn- ton with all the others students of that year with supervision from the teacher Alan McDonald.

“As a student at Rheola in the late 60s and 70s I remember the ANZAC Day services conducted at the school with the ABC radio broadcast, marching over the road followed by the laying of wreaths for the fallen and raising the flag.”

Mr Catto said the service re membered locals “who repre sented this very proud small country town”.

“It’s hard to imagine what effect the loss of these local men had on the district and the resolve of the men who returned, who lost best mates, that they had gone to school with and worked with,” he said.

“Those who returned, in true Australian spirit and mateship, got on with life and helped build the Australia we know today,” Mr Catto said.

Speaker’s long wait comes to end

EXPERIENCES walking the Kokoda Track as a rite of passage to understand some of the struggles faced by Australian soldiers in World War Two were shared at Wedderburn’s ANZAC Day service.

Wedderburn College assistant principal Dean Lockhart spoke of the preparation and experience he shared with son Hamish walking the track in 2018.

Mr Lockhart had originally been engaged to share the experience at the town’s ANZAC service in 2020 but commemorations were cancelled for two years by COVID restrictions.

And plans to speak in 2022 went awry when Mr Lockhart himself was isolating with COVID. College students played key roles in services at Wedderburn and Korong Vale, including the Dawn service.

Captains Eliza Turnbull and Pippi Hartnell layed wreaths at the services where Loddon Shire Young Citizen of the Year Jake Murphy was the bugler.

Guest speaker at Korong Vale was Peter McHugh, recalling the service lives of his grandfathers Ethan McHugh and John Greenwood during World War One. Dean Lockhart

Wendy’s special moment of reflection

A BEACON of respect stood out in the dark sky before sunrise in Bridgewater on Tuesday morning.

Wendy Stewart had a tight grip on the pole supporting an Australian flag.

Standing tall with reverence and respect, Inglewood’s Wendy explained this was no ordinary Australian flag.

“This is a next-of-kin flag issued to descendants ... for me, my uncle inimum of 20% of government print advertising should be placed by Deakin University recommended the same thing. In fact, the been advocating for more regional newspaper advertising for small policy change would be a simple and fair solution to a advertising is placed in regional newspapers would be great news for

Peter Penneyston who was killed in Vietnam on August 7, 1970,” she said in hushed tones as about 100 people gathered for the Dawn service.

Wendy joined local school children and community for the poignant start to a day of remembrance and commemoration across the Loddon Shire, giving a personal reflection on a day that touches many.

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