ITALIAN OSSARIO REMEMBRANCE DAY 2022

Sunday 13th November

For the past 2 years, the annual ceremony at the Italian Ossario was cancelled due to COVID 19. This year flood waters inundated the Ossario building, the surrounding grounds, and the Murchison Cemetery itself, making a gathering at the site unsafe.

The event went ahead at the Murchison Community Centre instead and approximately 200 people attended. It was still possible to give due reverence to the occasion. Dignitaries, those in military uniforms and others representing local organisations proceeded down the main hall to stand at the front of the room while the Australian and Italian national anthems were sung, followed by the very moving trumpet rendition of ‘Il Silenzio’ (The Silence) that never fails to brings tears to the eyes. Speeches followed by Mayor of Greater Shepparton, Shane Sali, and Melbourne Italian Consul General, Hanna Pappalardo. A full Catholic Mass was held and a small choir sang accompanied by guitar, with the mandolin adding a distinct Italian sound. Altogether, the ceremony, although not at the site, managed very adequately to honour the memory of those who lie in the Ossario.

Not everyone knows the history and uniqueness of the Ossario. Situated in a peaceful setting in the south east corner of the Murchison Cemetery. The Italian word ‘ossario’ (old bones) is a place of final rest for human remains that have initially been buried elsewhere. The Ossario shelters the remains of Italians who passed away during their imprisonment in Australia during World War 2. They were military Prisoners of War (POW’s) brought to our shores and Italian civilians, thought to be a security risk, who were both resident in Australia and from allied territories overseas and detained in many camps across Australia.

Initially buried in cemeteries near to the camp where they had been held, the idea to gather them all in one place was proposed by Mr Luigi Gigliotti of Kyabram who raised funds for the building of the Ossario at Murchison, which had already become of place of pilgrimage. Remains were brought from Kerang, Sale and Tatura in Victoria; Albury, Bathurst, Bourke, Hay and Mudgee in New South Wales, and from Bridgetown, Corrigan, Harvey, Karrakatta, Katanning, Kondinin, Narembeen, Narrogin, Northam, Three Springs and Wyalkatchem in Western Australia. The Ossario was dedicated in September 1961.

Originally built as an open sanctuary, with a crypt below, flood damage required an above ground extension to be built to the rear of the sanctuary in 1974, that now houses the coffins. Built of Castlemaine stone and roofed with Roman tiles, the building is attractive and has a distinct Mediterranean appearance - a European oasis, a little piece of Italy, set in the Australian bush-land.

The names of the 130 Italians who rest here are recorded on two metal tablets in the sanctuary. Among them are 36 civilian internees, 73 privates, 2 sergeants, 1 sergeant-major, 3 corporals, 3 lieutenants, 2 majors, 3 corporal majors, 2 captains, 3 marshals and 2 seamen. One of the internees was a woman brought to Australia from Palestine, as well as an eightday-old baby boy born locally.

Some of the Italians buried at Murchison during the War died from wounds, some from natural causes, severe illness, and a few from drowning either in the Waranga Basin or the Goulburn River. One was killed in a road accident near Nagambie in April 1942; one being transferred from South Australia to Murchison jumped under the train at Seymour and was decapitated, and Carmelo Caraccioli was murdered by a compatriot in March 1946.

The ceremony, normally held at the Ossario on Remembrance Sunday, attracts visitors from all over Australia and overseas, many in colourful Italian uniforms. It is a very special occasion, a very moving experience and is open to the public to attend. Hopefully next year we will be able to gather at the Ossario site.

Kay Ball. President, Murchison & District Historical Society

The UCAF of the Tatura Uniting Church conducted a very successful fashion parade on 11 November, hosted by Kay’s Classic Fashions. The function was supported by the ladies of the district, with models from our church.

Tatura Better Beef Group

Are you a beef farmer interested in upskilling your farm business management? The Tatura Better Beef Group is open to new members who are keen to learn more about a variety of topics to improve the profitability and management of their operations.

The Tatura Better Beef group was started in 2021 and meets 6 times per year to build skills and knowledge to make your beef business more productive, profitable and resilient to changing markets and climate. Current group members breed and trade cattle on farms ranging from 30 to over 600 ha.

The group is targeting local commercial producers seeking to improve their beef enterprise by making changes to areas in their business, including:

• grazing and pasture management practices

• livestock nutrition, health and welfare

• managing feed gaps

• preparing for drought, natural disasters and biosecurity risks

• financial and business management, including strategic planning and succession

• farm infrastructure

• understanding target markets and meeting market and consumer expectations

• having clear breeding goals and objectives and selecting the right genetics for the target market and production environment

• using existing or new technology in farming.

Annual fees are around $250 pa to participate in the group, with a mix of evening and day meetings on farm.

For more information or to register your interest in joining the group please contact Nick on 0438 321 528.