How the Wandong Heathcote Junction War Memorial was born
Wandong Heathcote Junction War MemorialIn 1926 Angus McDonald wrote to the Kilmore Free Press asking why, despite the large number of soldiers who had enlisted from the Wandong Heathcote Junction area, a memorial had never been built. Smaller towns had been provided with memorials by the shire but not Wandong Heathcote Junction. In 2014 with funding becoming available a small committee was formed and the task of researching the local soldiers was undertaken. In a short time enough funds were sourced to make the memorial a reality. A funding shortage saw the memorial built but not enough to complete the landscaping works to finish off the area. With help from locals more funds were raised to complete the project. The memorial was unveiled by the then Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov AC with approximately 500 people in attendance, and ten days later the first ANZAC Day service was held in the town. The memorial today is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the few committee members who worked tirelessly to complete the project and to the soldiers of the area who will now always be remembered with the dignity and pride which they so richly deserve.
