Sign of service

By Melissa Donchi
THE official launch of a memorial to Millgrove’s World War I servicemen coincided with Remembrance Day on Sunday 11 November.
Brian Halit and Jesse James from the Warburton Advancement League led the service while members of the community gathered around the new brass plaque memorial on the Avenue of Honour to remember 26 men from Millgrove.
It was a particularly special day for the league which was able to secure federal funding for the project earlier this year.
“I was overwhelmed by the number of people who turned up,” Mr Halit said.
“Someone said there were around 105 people which is terrific considering it’s not an annual day.”
McEwen MP Fran Bailey praised the young men who ‘stepped forward and volunteered to defend this country’ while local resident Evelyn Fisher came to remember her uncle Cliff Binks who was one of the 26 men from Millgrove who fought in WWI.
Mr Halit said it was important for Millgrove to remember the 26 men from the community who risked their lives for others.
“Back in 1918 a row of trees formed an Avenue of Honour for the men but because of floods and age the trees eventually died and we were left with nothing,” Mr Halit said.
“Since then we haven’t had a memorial in Millgrove and the community has had to visit neighbouring towns on solemn occasions such as remembrance day.”
The league approached the Federal Government for a more permanent fixture and with help from the Warburton Community Bank and Melbourne Water it was able to erect a memorial earlier this year.
“Without the funding from the Federal Government and the community bank and others it all came to fruition and everyone is pleased with it,” Mr Halit said.
“Special thanks have to go to Neville Rattray, Russell Gray as well as Robin, Mark and Chris from Melbourne Water for finding a rock to put the plaque on and bringing it to the site.”
Mr Halit said the new memorial would be available for the community to use on solemn occasions and that there was already talk of next year’s Anzac Day service being held there.