Wednesday August 17, 2022
Volume 37 No. 31
$1
inc. GST
The Cobar Weekly High grade gold at Federation Project Pg 2
Brytt Moore to head up the Youthie team Pg 3
Cobar Rotary donates to RFDS Pg 4
Cobar’s Poppy Fence officially opened
Cobar’s newly installed Poppy Fence on the Open Cut, which pays tribute to the 600 people (approximately) from Cobar who enlisted to serve in World War I, was officially opened on Saturday. The idea for the fence came from locals Barry and Ginny Knight with Barry the driving force behind the project. With support from Manuka Resources, Aurelia Metals and the Rotary Club of Cobar, the fence was recently installed with Major Matthew Sullivan from the Australian Army (Barry’s nephew) invited to officially open the fence. Major Sullivan said it was an honour to join the Cobar RSL Sub Branch and broader Cobar community at the opening. He said the Poppy Fence, realises the vision of honouring the men and women who have served in all military conflicts. “Particularly those Cobar miners of the 1st World War, who made ideal ‘Sappers’, joining the Tunnelling Companies of the Australian Mining Corps of the Royal Australian Engineers,” Major Sullivan said. He explained the Tunnelling Companies conducted offensive and defensive mining operations which involved digging and maintaining mines under enemy placements often in darkness and silence, to then explode those mines just prior to large advances by the Australian Infantry. Sappers were also responsible for a range of other underground work, digging trenches, underground chambers for signals and medical services, building roads, bridges and infrastructure to support broader allied operations. “Following the devastation of WW1, memorials became commonplace throughout Australia in communities large and small com-
memorating the millions who had served and given so much for their country. “These memorials are places of reflection, where communities can gather to mourn or pay respects,” Major Sullivan said. “Memorials continue to be an expression of remembrance, loss, grief and pride, and recognise Australia’s involvement in wartime operations, peacekeeping and service to Australia.
“Therefore, as we gather today, in the vicinity of this magnificent Poppy Fence we pause to recall those men and women of the Cobar community who served in war and particularly those who did not return to receive the grateful thanks of our nation.” Major Sullivan recounted some of the Cobar servicemen and women’s stories from World War 1. Continued on Page 8.
Australian Army Major Matthew Sullivan and Barry Knight cutting the ribbon at the official opening of the Cobar Poppy Fence on Saturday.