By M.R. Simkin My grandmother’s ring was very large indeed, so big it hung loosely on my mother’s thumb when she wore it to the jewelers to have it resized. The jeweler was intrigued but didn’t ask questions. My grandmother told me the story in her tiny, crowded kitchen many, many years ago when I innocently asked her why her left ring finger […]
Tag: ANZACs
Anzac Stories from the St Andrews District
The following Anzac stories are from men who served in ‘The Great War ‘- World War 1 from 1914 to 1918. Some men grew up and attended local schools in the District of St Andrews, Shire of Eltham. Some men who enlisted, worked in the area, or were just passing, but they were willing to […]
Greensborough Public Hero, No 1
Hurstbridge Advertiser, 9 April 1937 Mr. Joseph Evans, Anzac – that speaks for itself. The spirit of Anzac, once born in the heart of Australian, years ago now, is still a living thing. It was shown last Sunday, when, without a moment’s hesitation, Mr. Joseph Evans of Greensborough went to the rescue of Betty Thomas, […]
Fly Specks on the Universe
By Paul Howard “Places like Panton Hill had been referred to by Mr Clement Wragge as fly-specks on the universe, and yet, from this little fly-speck, over 32 boys had volunteered and been accepted for active service.” 1916 ‘ RETURNED WOUNDED. SOLDIERS AT PANTON HILL.’, Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 – […]
The Lost Honour Board
By Jim Allen On 30th June 1915 the Evelyn Observer and Bourke Record started advertising for details of local and district men who had enlisted for service in World War One. This request continued throughout 1916 for the districts of: Arthur’s Creek Kangaroo Ground Queenstown Whittlesea Eltham Kinglake Research Wonga Park Hurstbridge Panton Hill Yarra […]
Great Uncle Frank and the Great War
by Marian MacNally Private Francis Harrup Northey has garnered the sort of attention from my family that other relatives never could, as his real fate was never entirely certain. There were niceties that prevented us talking about him with his immediate family, and the fact that people who lived through the war years and grief […]
Tower of Rememberance
By Amy Shaw Just, a few more, steps, to go, almost, there! Wow, just look at the amazing views! These were the views you would see if you had the courage to climb the 52 steps to the top of the Kangaroo Ground Tower of Remembrance. It’s one of the most unusual war memorials in […]
“One of the Most reliable and Courageous Men”
by Jillian Durance Frederick George Starling was ‘best man’ at my grandparents’ wedding in October 1919. The wedding photo shows Fred Starling with just a glimmer of a smile on his face. A brave smile perhaps. I never knew Fred Starling, nor do I remember my grandfather Herbert Godber speaking of him, but then again, […]
Victoria Cross Estate
VC Estate history recognised City of Banyule – September 2015 The history of the VC Estate in Macleod West is finally being recognised, nearly 100 years after it was conceived, with the launch of new signage and the installation of a time capsule to be opened in 25 years. The Mayor of Banyule, Cr Craig […]
Macleod Avenue of Honour
Reprinted from Heidelberg Historian (newsletter of the Heidelberg Historical Society) June 1990 “Avenue of Honour” On Monday 23 April 1990, some 250 people attended the unveiling of a memorial and the dedication of the Avenue of Honour in the Mont Park Grounds, near Cherry Street, Macleod. The plaque records the planting of the Avenue by World […]