Memorial gates mark 100 years

By Lachlan Ellis

It has now been a century since a set of park gates were unveiled in honour of fallen soldiers in the area, with the gates first revealed in February 1922.

In front of a large crowd on the afternoon of Sunday 26 February 1922, the gates were officially presented as a gift from the Bacchus Marsh A.N.A. (Australian Natives’ Association) to the Maddingley Park Trustees.

An article from the 4 March 1922 edition of the Bacchus Marsh Express describes the unveiling.

“The unveiling ceremony was performed by the Chief President of the A.N.A., Mr. Thos. Rust, who said he felt highly honored in being asked to do so. He pointed out that the A.N.A. still stood for the inculcation of Australian national sentiment. They did not begin and end by merely saying these things—but by showing loyalty to their country and Empire,” the article reads.

“Bacchus Marsh had carried out its part in the Great War well, as also had the local branch, who, in making this gift to the Park, were also erecting a very nice memorial to the men who did not come back—the services rendered by these soldiers to the Empire would never be forgotten.”

The gates were imported from Scotland by the original owner for £800.

At the time, President of the local branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. (Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia), Captain P. J. Vallence and Chairman of the Park Trustees, Mr J. A. Johns, were also present, thanking the A.N.A. for erecting the memorial.

Mr Arthur Hine and Mr C. E. Hosken, President and Secretary of the Bacchus Marsh A.N.A. Branch respectively, were both Master of Ceremonies.

The brass plate that was unveiled that day remains on the gates, with the words: “These gates were presented to Maddingley Park by Bacchus Marsh Branch A.N.A., as a memorial to the fallen soldiers of the district. February, 1922.”

The plate was a donation from Mr C. L. T. Alkemade, J.P., and cost £10.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-03-15/4

in the 15 March 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.