By Sarah Schwager
TYNONG observed Remembrance Day on Friday with the unveiling of the town’s new war memorial and flagpole.
The memorial has been 16 months in the making, spurred along by local woman Denise Davidson.
“It was great. It went off really quite well, despite a few showers,” she said.
Ms Davidson said her father, Stan Henwood, the past president of the Tynong Progress Association, started the plans for the project but died before the unveiling.
Ms Davidson said the memorial was a community effort.
“There were a lot of donations and a lot of voluntary hours that went into it,” Ms Davidson said.
“Many community organisations from other towns were involved as well.”
Ms Davidson said the memorial was made from a collection of significant items, including Tynong Quarry granite that had been used for Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
The flagpole was one of the original street posts in Melbourne, and has been set with internal ropes.
The ball on top of the pole is an old tenpin bowling ball.
Gladys Quigley unveiled the plaque and acknowledged the people in Tynong who had served in the war.
Cardinia Shire councillor Helen Ward also acknowledged the work and effort of the people involved.
Kooweerup Secondary College year 12 student Eugene Hams played the Last Post.
Students from St Thomas Aquinas in Tynong, Garfield Primary School and St James Primary School in Nar Nar Goon were involved in the day, with 40 children from St Thomas Aquinas singing the national anthem.
Ms Davidson said another highlight of the day was the display of the army truck and jeep of flag bearer Russell Hughes from Nar Nar Goon RSL.
