1961
No information available
No information available
27 April 1962
ANZAC DAY: TO GLORIFY PEACE AND FREEDOM – “ANZAC Day is not a call to glorify war – it is a call to glorify peace and freedom,” Chaplain the Rev. R. E. Beckett told a packed town hall at Creswick on Wednesday.
Earlier at the ANZAC Day service at the memorial column, Shire President Cr. John Yates had said to the ex-servicemen, “God forbid that your ranks should ever be increased.”
Public attendance at the ANZAC Day ceremony at Creswick was no less and could have been more than last year.
Because of the Easter holidays, the Victorian School of Forestry was not in the march this year but there was a new organization – the Creswick Marching Girls who stepped smartly behind the Creswick band (which, incidentally, was playing well and marching with the rhythm and dignity which has helped it win prizes at competitions).
RSL members from Creswick, Smeaton and Newlyn were strongly represented. One member commented that more of them to prefer joining in the ceremonies at home, now, rather than go to Melbourne.
“It is 47 years since our Australians and New Zealanders landed at Gallipoli and made Australia a nation to be contended with,” said Cr. Yates when marchers and public assembled at the memorial. “In the second World War and since, our boys acquitted themselves in the same tradition.”
It was after remarking that the numbers of the returned personnel dwindle each year that Cr. Yates said, “But God forbid that they ever be increased.”
After Cr. Yates placed the Shire wreath on the memorial, others were placed for Newlyn, Smeaton and Creswick RSL sub-branches.
They were followed by the three RSL auxiliaries and the Creswick Red Cross, Scouts, Cubs, Guides, Brownies, Marching Girls, Band, Creswick and North Creswick and St. Augustine’s schools.
As four junior bandsmen played the Last Post from the post office steps, the guard came to “the present.” (The young bandsmen were Peter Hughes, Norm Slade, Corrie Dekker and Peter Quick.)
From there the people moved to the town hall, where the attendance seemed bigger than last year.
The Shire President was assisted here by the Rev. A. O. Mott, Capt. L. Webb and Pastor F. G. Bawden. He was supported, also, by Cr. Tom Evans, MLA, and Mr. F. James, the Creswick RSL president.
ANZAC DAY: TO GLORIFY PEACE AND FREEDOM – “ANZAC Day is not a call to glorify war – it is a call to glorify peace and freedom,” Chaplain the Rev. R. E. Beckett told a packed town hall at Creswick on Wednesday.
Earlier at the ANZAC Day service at the memorial column, Shire President Cr. John Yates had said to the ex-servicemen, “God forbid that your ranks should ever be increased.”
Public attendance at the ANZAC Day ceremony at Creswick was no less and could have been more than last year.
Because of the Easter holidays, the Victorian School of Forestry was not in the march this year but there was a new organization – the Creswick Marching Girls who stepped smartly behind the Creswick band (which, incidentally, was playing well and marching with the rhythm and dignity which has helped it win prizes at competitions).
RSL members from Creswick, Smeaton and Newlyn were strongly represented. One member commented that more of them to prefer joining in the ceremonies at home, now, rather than go to Melbourne.
“It is 47 years since our Australians and New Zealanders landed at Gallipoli and made Australia a nation to be contended with,” said Cr. Yates when marchers and public assembled at the memorial. “In the second World War and since, our boys acquitted themselves in the same tradition.”
It was after remarking that the numbers of the returned personnel dwindle each year that Cr. Yates said, “But God forbid that they ever be increased.”
After Cr. Yates placed the Shire wreath on the memorial, others were placed for Newlyn, Smeaton and Creswick RSL sub-branches.
They were followed by the three RSL auxiliaries and the Creswick Red Cross, Scouts, Cubs, Guides, Brownies, Marching Girls, Band, Creswick and North Creswick and St. Augustine’s schools.
As four junior bandsmen played the Last Post from the post office steps, the guard came to “the present.” (The young bandsmen were Peter Hughes, Norm Slade, Corrie Dekker and Peter Quick.)
From there the people moved to the town hall, where the attendance seemed bigger than last year.
The Shire President was assisted here by the Rev. A. O. Mott, Capt. L. Webb and Pastor F. G. Bawden. He was supported, also, by Cr. Tom Evans, MLA, and Mr. F. James, the Creswick RSL president.
26 April 1963
ANZAC DAY MUST BE FOR ALL – ANZAC Day, with its call to remember, can be something real to each and everyone of us, the Rev. Stewart J. Paddle, of Creswick, said in the Anzac address at Creswick, town hall yesterday morning.
The day assuredly, brought memories to returned servicemen – to others it could bring its call.
“For some of you,” said Mr. Paddle, “the words ‘We will remember them’ carry a very great significance, taking you back to the skies and land of Europe, the jungles or desert of Africa and the Middle East, of the islands of the Pacific. The sights and sounds of the march this morning would bring back to some the very reality of those memories. They are very real, timelessly real to you . . . you will never forget them but days like this bring these memories into the forefront of your consciousness.
“For you there will never be any forgetting,” continued Mr. Paddle, “but I speak now to those who had no part in those days, for they have grown up since then. To this section, is the phrase ‘We will remember them,’ any more than just a patriotic sentiment?
“There is a way we can give it reality,” he added.
Mr. Paddle said he wanted to remind them that there was One who died . . . who came again to a glorious resurrection and lives and reigns today.
“The way we can give meaning to these words of remembrance is to bring into being a resurrection of those ideals and principles,” he said.
This is the greatest way we can remember them and their battle for a free and upright country. As they laid down their lives, so we can best remember them by bringing that ideal into our own lives.
Let us not talk of grandiose schemes for national improvements until the principles, the ideals, the values for which those men laid down their lives have been resurrected in a personal re-dedication.
That is something for each and every one, said Mr. Paddle.
“For those of us who cannot give faith and allegiance to one God,” he said, “ . . . . let us at least dedicate ourselves that we shall spend our lives in love and service to our fellow people and our country.
“Then,” Mr. Paddle said, “we can really do something when we say the words, ‘We will remember them.’
“MAY THERE BE NO FURTHER RETURNED MEN” – “As we join in this public commemoration of the service given by men and women of Australia in two great wars and we remember that the ranks of returned servicemen are thinning out, we hope and pray that there may arise no more need for men to become returned servicemen,” said Shire President, Cr. A. D. Clarke, at the Creswick district’s ANZAC Day ceremony at the memorial column yesterday morning.
Cr. Clarke said that it was the 48th anniversary of the original ANZAC Day. Thousands died on the battlefields, thousands returned shattered. As the ranks of those returnees thin out, it is the duty of public bodies like shire councils, to help keep these people and their service in the public memory.
The march, led by Creswick band, seemed to be as big as ever and there was a big gathering of citizens.
He then invited these organizations to place wreaths:
Creswick, Newlyn and Smeaton RSL; their three RSL Auxiliaries and Creswick Red Cross; Cubs, Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Salvation Army Sunbeams; Creswick and North Creswick State schools and St. Augustine’s school; Salvation Army Home League, Victorian School of Forestry, Creswick Brass Band, Creswick Marching Girls.
Private wreaths were then placed.
Mr. H. Felstead played the Last Post.
Combined Service
The people then moved into the town hall for the commemoration service.
Cr. Clarke here had the assistance of Pastor F. G. Bawden, Rev. Arnold O. Mott, Capt. L. Webb and Mr. Tom Evans, MLA.
The Rev. S. J. Paddle gave the Anzac address.
Mr. Fred James read the Act of Remembrance and Mr. D. Ritchie (Newlyn RSL) placed a wreath on the honour roll.
ANZAC DAY MUST BE FOR ALL – ANZAC Day, with its call to remember, can be something real to each and everyone of us, the Rev. Stewart J. Paddle, of Creswick, said in the Anzac address at Creswick, town hall yesterday morning.
The day assuredly, brought memories to returned servicemen – to others it could bring its call.
“For some of you,” said Mr. Paddle, “the words ‘We will remember them’ carry a very great significance, taking you back to the skies and land of Europe, the jungles or desert of Africa and the Middle East, of the islands of the Pacific. The sights and sounds of the march this morning would bring back to some the very reality of those memories. They are very real, timelessly real to you . . . you will never forget them but days like this bring these memories into the forefront of your consciousness.
“For you there will never be any forgetting,” continued Mr. Paddle, “but I speak now to those who had no part in those days, for they have grown up since then. To this section, is the phrase ‘We will remember them,’ any more than just a patriotic sentiment?
“There is a way we can give it reality,” he added.
Mr. Paddle said he wanted to remind them that there was One who died . . . who came again to a glorious resurrection and lives and reigns today.
“The way we can give meaning to these words of remembrance is to bring into being a resurrection of those ideals and principles,” he said.
This is the greatest way we can remember them and their battle for a free and upright country. As they laid down their lives, so we can best remember them by bringing that ideal into our own lives.
Let us not talk of grandiose schemes for national improvements until the principles, the ideals, the values for which those men laid down their lives have been resurrected in a personal re-dedication.
That is something for each and every one, said Mr. Paddle.
“For those of us who cannot give faith and allegiance to one God,” he said, “ . . . . let us at least dedicate ourselves that we shall spend our lives in love and service to our fellow people and our country.
“Then,” Mr. Paddle said, “we can really do something when we say the words, ‘We will remember them.’
“MAY THERE BE NO FURTHER RETURNED MEN” – “As we join in this public commemoration of the service given by men and women of Australia in two great wars and we remember that the ranks of returned servicemen are thinning out, we hope and pray that there may arise no more need for men to become returned servicemen,” said Shire President, Cr. A. D. Clarke, at the Creswick district’s ANZAC Day ceremony at the memorial column yesterday morning.
Cr. Clarke said that it was the 48th anniversary of the original ANZAC Day. Thousands died on the battlefields, thousands returned shattered. As the ranks of those returnees thin out, it is the duty of public bodies like shire councils, to help keep these people and their service in the public memory.
The march, led by Creswick band, seemed to be as big as ever and there was a big gathering of citizens.
He then invited these organizations to place wreaths:
Creswick, Newlyn and Smeaton RSL; their three RSL Auxiliaries and Creswick Red Cross; Cubs, Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Salvation Army Sunbeams; Creswick and North Creswick State schools and St. Augustine’s school; Salvation Army Home League, Victorian School of Forestry, Creswick Brass Band, Creswick Marching Girls.
Private wreaths were then placed.
Mr. H. Felstead played the Last Post.
Combined Service
The people then moved into the town hall for the commemoration service.
Cr. Clarke here had the assistance of Pastor F. G. Bawden, Rev. Arnold O. Mott, Capt. L. Webb and Mr. Tom Evans, MLA.
The Rev. S. J. Paddle gave the Anzac address.
Mr. Fred James read the Act of Remembrance and Mr. D. Ritchie (Newlyn RSL) placed a wreath on the honour roll.
1 May 1964
Creswick ANZAC March Still Retains Its Strength
The ANZAC march at Creswick on Saturday morning still retained its strength of former years.
Although some commented that the crowd on the footpath seemed smaller, yet when everyone moved into the town hall later, it seemed to be as big as usual.
The procedure at Creswick is that the Creswick band leads a march from Davies bridge up Albert street to the monument at the Raglan street intersection.
Returned servicemen (particularly members of the RSL at Creswick, Smeaton, and Newlyn), scouts, guides, VSF students and school children take part in the march.
This was the pattern last Saturday except that for the first time for many years, the Creswick RSL president, Mr. Fred James, was not there to help. He was absent on holidays. In his stead, Mr. George Paine, vice-president, assisted in the ceremony.
Shire President, Cr. W. A. McKay, addressing the assemblage, spoke of the 49 years since the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, of the tradition of selfless service then established and carried on into the 1939-45 war and into Korea. He said the occasion called for homage to those who served, to those who paid the supreme sacrifice and to those who returned broken in health.
“The ranks of returned men are thinning but we hope there will never be need for others to become returned servicemen,” Cr McKay said.
He then placed a wreath on behalf of council and ratepayers. This was followed by wreaths from the three RSL sub-branches and from their women’s auxiliaries, Scouts, Cubs, Guides, and Brownies, Creswick, North Creswick and St. Augustine’s schools, the band, Salvation Army, Red Cross, VSF and other organisations and citizens.
The Last Post was sounded by Mr. H. Felstead.
Earlier, as is the custom, Cr. McKay had placed a wreath on the memorial column at Kingston. This year there was a youthful audience to participate – Brownies coming from Smeaton to join the pack at Creswick for the march.
The assemblage moved into the town hall where Cr. McKay received the flags from the various color parties.
In the commemoration service, he was assisted by Pastor F. G. Bawden, the Rev S. J. Paddle, the Rev G. R. Farrell, Mr. Tom Evans, MLA and Mr. G. Paine.
Mr. Ivor McIvor, OBE, gave the Anzac address and Mr. Paine read the Act of Remembrance. On behalf of the three RSLs, Mr. C. Giersch placed a wreath on the honour roll.
The band led the hymn singing and Bandmaster H. Felstead again played the Last Post.
Take This Message On Into Every Day
ANZAC Day brings a message of training, leadership, good health, unselfishness and comradeship which should not be reserved for one day of the year but carried on into each and every day, said Mr. Ivor McIvor, of Ballarat, giving the ANZAC address at Creswick last Saturday.
Mr. McIvor started with a brief description of the first Anzac Day in 1915: the soundly trained men of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps in the greatest army-amphibian operation ever known up to then: the heroism as they landed and held the beach head: the enormous death toll.
“Let’s look at it through the eyes of three generations,” he said. “There are still with us the ‘old and bold’ to whom ANZAC Days bring vivid memories of that 1914-18 war. There is another generation which was going to school in those days and remembers the atmosphere. Then we have the young folk who wonder why- why this annual commemoration of ANZAC.”
The nation had set aside this day so that none of us would forget how to remember.
“What are the lessons of ANZAC?” he asked. “I would like to quote from Brigadier Hurley in this very hall five years ago. He made 5 points: The original ANZAC's were well trained here and in Egypt, they were well led, healthy in body and mind, completely unselfish and they had that wonderful comradeship.
“So what can you do?” Mr. McIvor continued. “You can do this:
* Be well trained. It is good to see these scouts and cubs, guides and brownies training to be good citizens. It is good to see the men in CMF uniform – may its work continue.
* Learn leadership – form your guiding and scouting, your CMF and other organizations.
* Keep physically fit: there is no substitute for good health.
* Be unselfish: take a pride in helping others: keep up that spirit of service of the recent “willing shilling” week.
* Learn to be friendly in your help to others and enjoy the comradeship.
“To those of us who are a bit older,” Mr. McIvor continued. “The last few years have brought us face to face with new relationships in time and space and destructiveness…….. What can we do about it? “For one thing, we can take a real interest in the affairs of our country and of the Pacific. “The people of Australia and New Zealand are the only white nations in the vast Pacific area.”
He said Australia was trying to carry a sense of comradeship into relations with the other nations of the Pacific: may it prevail in the next few weeks.
Of more interest is the great breach between China and Russia: 700 million Chinese have told Russia to take a stronger line.
Mr. McIvor said on such an occasion he could not help thinking of two great leaders the world had seen die in the past twelve months, though both were Americans. There was President J. F. Kennedy, a young man who took over the leadership of the greatest democracy in the world, whose clear thinking had calmed the world situation. The other was General Douglas MacArthur, that symbol of strong leadership; some may deride him but many will acclaim him as a master of strategy.
That leadership was well shown as , working from Australia, he cut off the Japanese forces and made good his promise to return to the Philippines.
“In remembering own fallen and the loved ones of those who did not return, we could also remember those two men,” Mr. McIvor added. “I would like to quote from two addresses General MacArthur made to the national parliament of Australia.
March 26, 1942: “There is a link that binds our countries together which does not depend upon written protocol, upon treaties of alliance or upon diplomatic doctrine. It goes deeper than that. It is that indescribable consanguinity of race same aspirations, the same hopes and desires, the same ideals and the same dreams of future destiny.”
Two years later, on March 17, 1944, MacArthur again: “The past two years have been momentous ones for Australia. She has faced the gravest peril in her history. With your very life at stake you have met and overcome the challenge. It was here the tide of war turned in the Pacific and the mighty wave of invasion broke and rolled back. On such an occasion as this my thoughts go back to those men who went on their last crusade in the jungle thickness to the north, where they made the fight that saved this continent. With faith in their hearts and hope on their lips, they passed beyond the mists that blind us here.
“Their yesteryear makes possible our tomorrow. They came from the four quarters of the world but, whatever the land that gave them birth, under their stark white crosses, THEY BELONG TO AUSTRALIA.”
Mr. McIvor suggested that we make this not one day of the year but to carry the message into every day.
Creswick ANZAC March Still Retains Its Strength
The ANZAC march at Creswick on Saturday morning still retained its strength of former years.
Although some commented that the crowd on the footpath seemed smaller, yet when everyone moved into the town hall later, it seemed to be as big as usual.
The procedure at Creswick is that the Creswick band leads a march from Davies bridge up Albert street to the monument at the Raglan street intersection.
Returned servicemen (particularly members of the RSL at Creswick, Smeaton, and Newlyn), scouts, guides, VSF students and school children take part in the march.
This was the pattern last Saturday except that for the first time for many years, the Creswick RSL president, Mr. Fred James, was not there to help. He was absent on holidays. In his stead, Mr. George Paine, vice-president, assisted in the ceremony.
Shire President, Cr. W. A. McKay, addressing the assemblage, spoke of the 49 years since the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, of the tradition of selfless service then established and carried on into the 1939-45 war and into Korea. He said the occasion called for homage to those who served, to those who paid the supreme sacrifice and to those who returned broken in health.
“The ranks of returned men are thinning but we hope there will never be need for others to become returned servicemen,” Cr McKay said.
He then placed a wreath on behalf of council and ratepayers. This was followed by wreaths from the three RSL sub-branches and from their women’s auxiliaries, Scouts, Cubs, Guides, and Brownies, Creswick, North Creswick and St. Augustine’s schools, the band, Salvation Army, Red Cross, VSF and other organisations and citizens.
The Last Post was sounded by Mr. H. Felstead.
Earlier, as is the custom, Cr. McKay had placed a wreath on the memorial column at Kingston. This year there was a youthful audience to participate – Brownies coming from Smeaton to join the pack at Creswick for the march.
The assemblage moved into the town hall where Cr. McKay received the flags from the various color parties.
In the commemoration service, he was assisted by Pastor F. G. Bawden, the Rev S. J. Paddle, the Rev G. R. Farrell, Mr. Tom Evans, MLA and Mr. G. Paine.
Mr. Ivor McIvor, OBE, gave the Anzac address and Mr. Paine read the Act of Remembrance. On behalf of the three RSLs, Mr. C. Giersch placed a wreath on the honour roll.
The band led the hymn singing and Bandmaster H. Felstead again played the Last Post.
Take This Message On Into Every Day
ANZAC Day brings a message of training, leadership, good health, unselfishness and comradeship which should not be reserved for one day of the year but carried on into each and every day, said Mr. Ivor McIvor, of Ballarat, giving the ANZAC address at Creswick last Saturday.
Mr. McIvor started with a brief description of the first Anzac Day in 1915: the soundly trained men of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps in the greatest army-amphibian operation ever known up to then: the heroism as they landed and held the beach head: the enormous death toll.
“Let’s look at it through the eyes of three generations,” he said. “There are still with us the ‘old and bold’ to whom ANZAC Days bring vivid memories of that 1914-18 war. There is another generation which was going to school in those days and remembers the atmosphere. Then we have the young folk who wonder why- why this annual commemoration of ANZAC.”
The nation had set aside this day so that none of us would forget how to remember.
“What are the lessons of ANZAC?” he asked. “I would like to quote from Brigadier Hurley in this very hall five years ago. He made 5 points: The original ANZAC's were well trained here and in Egypt, they were well led, healthy in body and mind, completely unselfish and they had that wonderful comradeship.
“So what can you do?” Mr. McIvor continued. “You can do this:
* Be well trained. It is good to see these scouts and cubs, guides and brownies training to be good citizens. It is good to see the men in CMF uniform – may its work continue.
* Learn leadership – form your guiding and scouting, your CMF and other organizations.
* Keep physically fit: there is no substitute for good health.
* Be unselfish: take a pride in helping others: keep up that spirit of service of the recent “willing shilling” week.
* Learn to be friendly in your help to others and enjoy the comradeship.
“To those of us who are a bit older,” Mr. McIvor continued. “The last few years have brought us face to face with new relationships in time and space and destructiveness…….. What can we do about it? “For one thing, we can take a real interest in the affairs of our country and of the Pacific. “The people of Australia and New Zealand are the only white nations in the vast Pacific area.”
He said Australia was trying to carry a sense of comradeship into relations with the other nations of the Pacific: may it prevail in the next few weeks.
Of more interest is the great breach between China and Russia: 700 million Chinese have told Russia to take a stronger line.
Mr. McIvor said on such an occasion he could not help thinking of two great leaders the world had seen die in the past twelve months, though both were Americans. There was President J. F. Kennedy, a young man who took over the leadership of the greatest democracy in the world, whose clear thinking had calmed the world situation. The other was General Douglas MacArthur, that symbol of strong leadership; some may deride him but many will acclaim him as a master of strategy.
That leadership was well shown as , working from Australia, he cut off the Japanese forces and made good his promise to return to the Philippines.
“In remembering own fallen and the loved ones of those who did not return, we could also remember those two men,” Mr. McIvor added. “I would like to quote from two addresses General MacArthur made to the national parliament of Australia.
March 26, 1942: “There is a link that binds our countries together which does not depend upon written protocol, upon treaties of alliance or upon diplomatic doctrine. It goes deeper than that. It is that indescribable consanguinity of race same aspirations, the same hopes and desires, the same ideals and the same dreams of future destiny.”
Two years later, on March 17, 1944, MacArthur again: “The past two years have been momentous ones for Australia. She has faced the gravest peril in her history. With your very life at stake you have met and overcome the challenge. It was here the tide of war turned in the Pacific and the mighty wave of invasion broke and rolled back. On such an occasion as this my thoughts go back to those men who went on their last crusade in the jungle thickness to the north, where they made the fight that saved this continent. With faith in their hearts and hope on their lips, they passed beyond the mists that blind us here.
“Their yesteryear makes possible our tomorrow. They came from the four quarters of the world but, whatever the land that gave them birth, under their stark white crosses, THEY BELONG TO AUSTRALIA.”
Mr. McIvor suggested that we make this not one day of the year but to carry the message into every day.
23 April 1965
This Is The Legacy Of A Nation
As April 25 approaches, half a century will have passed since "the landing," that fantastic story of eight terrible months of almost superhuman effort to capture and hold a sun-baked, barren peninsula – Gallipoli.
Here lies a land of deep valleys, ridges and towering peaks, where Australians, New Zealanders and British clawed their way up form the beaches, to hold a bare patch of ground – and die where they stood.
Surely nowhere on earth stands such a monument to human endeavor which came close to triumph several times, achieved the impossible many times but failed in the end, as so many great feats of arms have failed.
Overall Is A Stillness
The war cemeteries dotted about, pinpointed by clumps of pines and maintained by the War Graves Commission, bear witness to an incredible valour and equally irreplaceable loss.
They are near each post, whose names ring down the years like distant bugles-Lone Pine, where 4000 of the AIF are buried, Quinn’s Post, the Nek, Johnson’s Gully, Chunuk Bair and many others.
On hillsides and valleys planted now with forests of pine by the Turkish Government, there is only stillness today – a deep quietness, save for the song of the wind in the pines.
But the visitor notices something else – a "feeling" – there seems no other word to describe it.
Probably it is a mixture of sadness, and a sense of futility and pride, but it catches one by the throat, and men turn away from their fellows.
On this lonely peninsula overlooking "The Narrows" – that historical strip of water dividing Europe from Asia – war founded a nation’s heritage – first payment of a legacy being paid today.
The Price Is High
And after Gallipoli the price in blood was yet to be paid: Flanders, France, Palestine, for long, terrible years of unending struggle.
A little more than 20 years later Australia and New Zealand built their civilian armies on the ANZAC tradition.
Once again on the sea, in the air, in deserts and jungles the price was to be paid in death and disablement, in widows and children left bereft to face the world alone.
Repatriation
Since the men of the first AIF returned in 1919 to take up the threads of civil life, successive Australian governments have, in general, adopted a realistic, thoughtful and humane attitude to their disabled veterans.
Indeed few countries in the world have more practically indicated their gratitude to their ex-servicemen than this country.
As an illustration, our war pension bill last year was £91 million, and medical treatment (which includes hospital treatment) came to £22 million.
Possibly the USA contributes a larger sun per capita in repatriation benefits (it is still paying some descendants of Civil War veterans), but certainly Australia is among the leading nations in all branches of repatriation.
Representation
However, it is certain that compensation in part for disablement, poverty, loneliness and shattered lives would never have been obtained on the present scale were it not for continuous representations by the RSL.
Federal governments have always considered the league’s submissions very carefully, for these have never been extravagant or unrealistic, but based upon a constantly rising cost of living, and the correction of anomalies or injustices.
RSL Welfare Work
In Victoria alone the RSL spent more than £100,000 last year on specific welfare work. It maintains four hostels for the care of elderly servicemen and women, a large number of cottages for couples, and war widows’ flats and homes.
At an enormous capital cost it now maintains over 650 persons in peace, comfort and security in their declining years. But the greatest enemy of the completely or temporarily disabled, in hospitals, is loneliness.
The government does its part in providing medical care but everyone knows that a visit to a patient has a tremendous psychological "uplift."
The RSL members made 40,000 visits to ex-servicemen inmates last year.
Some World War I Veterans have never left a hospital bed for 46 years, their friends and relatives are often dead and without some visits from well-wishers their lot would be pathetic indeed.
For The Handicapped
Many ex-servicemen have, through no fault of their own fallen on evil times. Family disasters, illness and disablement leave many legacies of human sadness.
The league runs home working "bees" for invalid ex-servicemen, and obtains employment for the handicapped.
It conducts a children’s health bureau and arranges holiday camps for children from the city and country. It sponsors youth clubs and scout and guide groups throughout the State.
Generous Public
A Visit to the repatriation hospital is a salutary shock to a visitor.
Nothing is more calculated to bring home to anyone, the cost of war in human wreckage.
Ward after ward is filled with men suffering from the effects of wounds, and the rigors of the years spent in the mud of France, the choking dust of the deserts and the deathly heat of jungles.
And when a man is allowed to leave one of these hospitals, he is perhaps old, disabled, lonely and desperate. Here the league steps in. No genuine case is ever turned down.
That is the reason for the two annual public appeals – the sale of Anzac tokens prior to April 25 and the Blood-red Flanders poppy on the 11th day of the 11th month.
Without public support the league’s welfare work would wither on the vine – something quite unthinkable, something which the average generous hearted Australian would never countenance.
50th ANZAC Service And March
"This is an invitation to you all to join us in remembrance on ANZAC Day, this Sunday, April 25," said an RSL spokesman yesterday.’
On this, the 50th anniversary of the ANZAC Landing, Creswick’s service will be in the afternoon instead of the morning as in other years.
"By request, the service has been arranged to suit all denominations," he said. It will be conducted by the three local sub-branches and not by members of the clergy as in the past."
Mr. Arch Walker, of Trawalla, will deliver the address.
"With the Shire President, we extend the invitation on this special day to each and all of you to join us and pay our tribute firstly to the Anzac of 1914-1918 and also to those of 1939-1945 and later battlefields," the spokesman added.
Flood-Lit Cross
The Cross of Remembrance beside the memorial column will be floodlit on ANZAC Eve and ANZAC Night.
The Cross of Remembrance is a large cross-marked out by inserting a big number of small crosses in the lawn. There is provision for each small cross to bear the name of a remembered ex-serviceman.
The public is invited to supply these names – please advise Mr. George Paine or Mr. Fred James.
The March
All servicemen and women are to assemble at Davies Bridge at 2.15pm. sharp. Schools and other organizations are invited to join in and assemble there at that time.
Creswick band will lead the march to the memorial where Cr. E. J. Semmens, Shire President, will give a short address and wreaths will be laid.
The assemblage will transfer to the town hall at approximately 3pm. Where Mr. Walker, a "digger" himself, will give his address.
Decorations may be worn.
At Cemetery
As one of the three sections of the soldiers’ graves block at Creswick cemetery has now been fully taken up, the Creswick, Newlyn and Smeaton sub-branches of RSL, pilgrimage to this section will take place after the above service at the town hall.
This Is The Legacy Of A Nation
As April 25 approaches, half a century will have passed since "the landing," that fantastic story of eight terrible months of almost superhuman effort to capture and hold a sun-baked, barren peninsula – Gallipoli.
Here lies a land of deep valleys, ridges and towering peaks, where Australians, New Zealanders and British clawed their way up form the beaches, to hold a bare patch of ground – and die where they stood.
Surely nowhere on earth stands such a monument to human endeavor which came close to triumph several times, achieved the impossible many times but failed in the end, as so many great feats of arms have failed.
Overall Is A Stillness
The war cemeteries dotted about, pinpointed by clumps of pines and maintained by the War Graves Commission, bear witness to an incredible valour and equally irreplaceable loss.
They are near each post, whose names ring down the years like distant bugles-Lone Pine, where 4000 of the AIF are buried, Quinn’s Post, the Nek, Johnson’s Gully, Chunuk Bair and many others.
On hillsides and valleys planted now with forests of pine by the Turkish Government, there is only stillness today – a deep quietness, save for the song of the wind in the pines.
But the visitor notices something else – a "feeling" – there seems no other word to describe it.
Probably it is a mixture of sadness, and a sense of futility and pride, but it catches one by the throat, and men turn away from their fellows.
On this lonely peninsula overlooking "The Narrows" – that historical strip of water dividing Europe from Asia – war founded a nation’s heritage – first payment of a legacy being paid today.
The Price Is High
And after Gallipoli the price in blood was yet to be paid: Flanders, France, Palestine, for long, terrible years of unending struggle.
A little more than 20 years later Australia and New Zealand built their civilian armies on the ANZAC tradition.
Once again on the sea, in the air, in deserts and jungles the price was to be paid in death and disablement, in widows and children left bereft to face the world alone.
Repatriation
Since the men of the first AIF returned in 1919 to take up the threads of civil life, successive Australian governments have, in general, adopted a realistic, thoughtful and humane attitude to their disabled veterans.
Indeed few countries in the world have more practically indicated their gratitude to their ex-servicemen than this country.
As an illustration, our war pension bill last year was £91 million, and medical treatment (which includes hospital treatment) came to £22 million.
Possibly the USA contributes a larger sun per capita in repatriation benefits (it is still paying some descendants of Civil War veterans), but certainly Australia is among the leading nations in all branches of repatriation.
Representation
However, it is certain that compensation in part for disablement, poverty, loneliness and shattered lives would never have been obtained on the present scale were it not for continuous representations by the RSL.
Federal governments have always considered the league’s submissions very carefully, for these have never been extravagant or unrealistic, but based upon a constantly rising cost of living, and the correction of anomalies or injustices.
RSL Welfare Work
In Victoria alone the RSL spent more than £100,000 last year on specific welfare work. It maintains four hostels for the care of elderly servicemen and women, a large number of cottages for couples, and war widows’ flats and homes.
At an enormous capital cost it now maintains over 650 persons in peace, comfort and security in their declining years. But the greatest enemy of the completely or temporarily disabled, in hospitals, is loneliness.
The government does its part in providing medical care but everyone knows that a visit to a patient has a tremendous psychological "uplift."
The RSL members made 40,000 visits to ex-servicemen inmates last year.
Some World War I Veterans have never left a hospital bed for 46 years, their friends and relatives are often dead and without some visits from well-wishers their lot would be pathetic indeed.
For The Handicapped
Many ex-servicemen have, through no fault of their own fallen on evil times. Family disasters, illness and disablement leave many legacies of human sadness.
The league runs home working "bees" for invalid ex-servicemen, and obtains employment for the handicapped.
It conducts a children’s health bureau and arranges holiday camps for children from the city and country. It sponsors youth clubs and scout and guide groups throughout the State.
Generous Public
A Visit to the repatriation hospital is a salutary shock to a visitor.
Nothing is more calculated to bring home to anyone, the cost of war in human wreckage.
Ward after ward is filled with men suffering from the effects of wounds, and the rigors of the years spent in the mud of France, the choking dust of the deserts and the deathly heat of jungles.
And when a man is allowed to leave one of these hospitals, he is perhaps old, disabled, lonely and desperate. Here the league steps in. No genuine case is ever turned down.
That is the reason for the two annual public appeals – the sale of Anzac tokens prior to April 25 and the Blood-red Flanders poppy on the 11th day of the 11th month.
Without public support the league’s welfare work would wither on the vine – something quite unthinkable, something which the average generous hearted Australian would never countenance.
50th ANZAC Service And March
"This is an invitation to you all to join us in remembrance on ANZAC Day, this Sunday, April 25," said an RSL spokesman yesterday.’
On this, the 50th anniversary of the ANZAC Landing, Creswick’s service will be in the afternoon instead of the morning as in other years.
"By request, the service has been arranged to suit all denominations," he said. It will be conducted by the three local sub-branches and not by members of the clergy as in the past."
Mr. Arch Walker, of Trawalla, will deliver the address.
"With the Shire President, we extend the invitation on this special day to each and all of you to join us and pay our tribute firstly to the Anzac of 1914-1918 and also to those of 1939-1945 and later battlefields," the spokesman added.
Flood-Lit Cross
The Cross of Remembrance beside the memorial column will be floodlit on ANZAC Eve and ANZAC Night.
The Cross of Remembrance is a large cross-marked out by inserting a big number of small crosses in the lawn. There is provision for each small cross to bear the name of a remembered ex-serviceman.
The public is invited to supply these names – please advise Mr. George Paine or Mr. Fred James.
The March
All servicemen and women are to assemble at Davies Bridge at 2.15pm. sharp. Schools and other organizations are invited to join in and assemble there at that time.
Creswick band will lead the march to the memorial where Cr. E. J. Semmens, Shire President, will give a short address and wreaths will be laid.
The assemblage will transfer to the town hall at approximately 3pm. Where Mr. Walker, a "digger" himself, will give his address.
Decorations may be worn.
At Cemetery
As one of the three sections of the soldiers’ graves block at Creswick cemetery has now been fully taken up, the Creswick, Newlyn and Smeaton sub-branches of RSL, pilgrimage to this section will take place after the above service at the town hall.