The evolution of the VVSGC Memorial

In the middle of 2006 it was envisaged that the club should build and dedicate a memorial to all those members of the Australian Defence Force who lost their lives in the service of our country, and to those members who have passed on since their service ended.

Suggestions for designs were requested and the idea of the large rock with a Memorial Plaque was voted as the preferred style. The plans were prepared and James King was approached for permission to use a section of ground at the SE of the Boomerang Farm Golf Course Clubhouse. The 3.5 tonne rock was donated by Hanson Quarry and with the help of a long crane it was positioned correctly.

The Memorial was completed and the local Member of Parliament, Margaret May had agreed to dedicate the Memorial for the Club. April 20, 2007 was set as the official day of dedication. Two days before this date the club was asked if the then Minister for Veterans Affairs, Bruce Billson, could attend the ceremony, the answer was naturally yes!

Friday 20 April 2007 dawned bright and clear and the Memorial was officially dedicated by Bruce Billson 

On every significant military anniversary i.e. ANZAC Day, Armistice Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, etc. a service is held, this also occurs if a current member of the ADF is lost whilst on deployment in a War Zone.

Later a timber Remembrance Wall was added behind the Rock Memorial, when any VVSGC member passes away a bronze Plaque bearing their details is added to this feature. There are currently twenty one plaques (as at 1 Jan 2019) displayed on this Remembrance Wall, with a brief service held as each plaque is unveiled.

A Plaque commemorating the service personnel who served in the Korean Police Action, Malaya-Borneo and Peacekeepers were added at a later date as well.

In early 2018 it was decided to refurbish the Memorial, grants from the DVA and the local member were applied for, but unfortunately they were unsuccessful. It was then decided to seek funds from the corporate sector so that we could renovate the Memorial. We managed to achieve our goal with the assistance of five companies, who either supplied the materials, labour and/or both. The remaining labour was completed by some of the club members.

The wall to the right of the Memorial is mounted with a central rustic metallic piece displaying the following anonymous quotation;

"ALL GAVE SOME

SOME GAVE ALL

SOME ARE STILL GIVING"

• Vietnam Veterans Social Golf Club https://www.cgtownsend.id.au/vvsgcmem.htm