News

The Cenotaph, Queens Park Moonee Ponds
Community News

Remembering the ANZACS 2023

Ahead of Anzac Day on 25 April, community members are invited to join Moonee Valley City Council in honouring the Anzacs at a commemoration ceremony on Sunday, 23 April at 3pm at the Queens Park Cenotaph in Moonee Ponds.

From City of Moonee Valley

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart with Regimental Sergeant Major – Army Warrant Officer Kim Felmingham, WW2 veteran Mr Awati Mau and members of Sarpeye Company, 51FNQR
Feature

Community marks anniversary of unique Indigenous unit

One of two surviving veterans of Australia’s only all-Indigenous military unit joined the Torres Strait Islands community and Australian Army members on Thursday Island on 17 March to mark the 80th anniversary of the unit's formation.

From Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs

Reunion: 1966-67 Vietnam veterans visiting the Seymour Vietnam Memorial
Feature

Veterans visit Seymour memorial

A group of 25 Vietnam veterans from across the country visited the Seymour Vietnam Veterans Walk on Friday, March 24.

From Shepparton News

nurses
Community News

Australians asked to share stories of nurses massacred on Bangka Island

In collaboration with the Australian College of Nursing, the ACN Foundation is calling for family, friends and colleagues to share stories and reflections of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA and the 21 nurses who lost their lives at the Bangka Island Massacre in 1942 in one of the worst atrocities of World War II.

From Contact

Ray Thorold-Smith
Community News

Ray Thorold-Smith: The Manly pilot shot down near Darwin during World War II

He was tall, handsome and good enough to play rugby union for NSW and could have been a successful doctor if he hadn’t been shot down by a Japanese pilot near Darwin in 1943.

Ray Thorold-Smith is credited with downing at least five German aircraft and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

From The Daily Telegraph

Town hall
Feature

A refresh for Toc’s memorial hall

The Tocumwal War Memorial Hall is getting a facelift - possibly its first since it was built in approximately 1927 to commemorate the soldiers of the area who served in WWI

From Shepparton News

 Members of the Voyager Survivors Association in front of the newly named Voyager Mess at HMAS Creswell.
Community News

Touching tribute for Voyager survivors

On the moonless night of February 10, 1964, aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne sent a signal to Fleet Headquarters in Sydney, which read only ‘Voyager is sunk’. T

From Australian Government Defence

Family ties: MORNINGTON woman Gillian Nikakis, whose father Bill died on the Montevideo Maru, wrote about the disaster in her 2005 book He’s not coming home. Picture: Yanni
Feature

Place of rest to reflect on lasting war losses

The unveiling of a commemorative seat at Mornington Memorial Park at 11am on Monday 23 January marks the 81st anniversary of the largest loss of life in Australian maritime history, when the Montevideo Maru was sunk in the Pacific during World War II.

Lone Pine
Article

Lone Pine found following war memorial theft

Hurstbridge’s Lone Pine, stolen on Monday night from Anzac Memorial Park in Main Road, has been recovered. The tree was yesterday found intact, dumped in a skip bin behind the shops, and has been taken to Edendale Community Environment Farm where nursery staff will assess its health.

German shells bombarding amphibious trucks at the Anzio beachhead.
Feature

Anzac and Anzio, Father and Son

On New Year’s Day 1946, Captain William ‘Bill’ Dunstan penned another long letter to his family. “To-day is the beginning of another year away from you – the last, I hope. It has been a long time now and I have just about had enough of the army.” By that time, Bill had not seen his home or family for five and a half years.

A place to reflect: Although the statue was unveiled in 2017, the surrounding garden was not formally named until last week. Photo: supplied
Feature

Memorial garden officially named

Alfredton's Garden of the Grieving Mother has been officially named, with a sign funded by the Arch of Victory-Avenue of Honour Committee installed last week.