Booyal Diggers Unveiling Ceremony November 12 1921
Herb Oliver PSMArmistice Day in Booyal was a day to be remembered. To perpetuate the memory of their friends who have “Gone West” in the late war, the Returned Soldiers League erected a memorial and public hall, and the opening was at 3 pm. By that time the hall was fairly crowded, with visitors from other districts and a fine array of flags and decorations.
Mr Frank Day, Chairman of the League, announced the procedure. Rev Atkins conducted the service and provided leaflets. Lieut Colonel C Corser Maryborough unveiled the memorial.
Mr W A Brand (later Sir Alfred) MLA congratulated the soldiers on their choice of a memorial. Mr T Gaydon (Chairman of the then Isis Shire Council) asked those present to assist in clearing the debt for the memorial; he promised five pounds as a start. Mr Epps, asked the Chairman to get a pencil and paper and see what could be added to Mr Gaydon’s donation. The response was splendid.
Mr Moore of Booyal spoke a few words of praise of the diggers. Mr Day thanked the guests for their kind attendance. After the National Anthem, the Rev Atkins pronounced the benediction, and the ceremony ended.
The memorial is in the shape of a stage, with dressing rooms, over an arch inscribed with “Erected by the Returned Soldiers, in memory of their Fallen Comrades”. On the left side is a polished oak honour roll of 38 names. Opposite the stage is a marble memorial tablet with ten names.
The memorial tablet had wreaths at the crown and foot from the soldiers and the public. The stage was decorated with a Gloria lamp hanging in the centre. The original Armistice Day banner was the background.
The outstanding feature of the evening was the music by the Dallarnil orchestra. Miss Ascoli, Mrs Bates and Mr Unwin sang, Miss Sherrington, solos Misses Bates, Day, Larsen and a bevy of ladies attended to the refreshments.
This monument still stands today and has served the residents of Booyal and the public for the past 100 years. The hall celebrated its 100th anniversary on the 10th November 2018. The monument opened on Armistice Day 1921 and will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Armistice Day 2021.
On the 15th May 1919 a public meeting elected Mr A R Randell Chairman and Mr Frank Day, Secretary of a committee to raise funds for a memorial in Booyal. On the 25th October 1919, Mr George Oliver was elected Chairman with Mr AR Randell as Secretary.
Private George Oliver wasn’t at the original meeting in May, because he was still attempting to return from Germany where he spent two and half years in prisoner of war camps.
The memorial simply remembers those who served and those who paid the supreme sacrifice. It does not rely on medals or war relics to emphasise its purpose. Since its construction has been operated and maintained by a group of volunteers for over a hundred years.
