By KATH GANNAWAY
GULF Station in Yarra Glen was the source of two very different and valuable contributions to the war effort in WWI.
“Parcels From Home – A Heritage Festival Event” on Saturday 18 April, will celebrate the contribution of the farm’s Bell family, and commemorate Gulf Station’s connection to the battlefields of WWI.
The Bells supplied waler horses to the Imperial Forces and held working bees on the farm to make various items for the Red Cross to distribute to the Australian soldiers.
They even put up one of their waler ponies as a raffle prize to raise funds.
The festival, set among the heritage buildings and gardens of Gulf Station will bring the Bell’s war effort to life.
Activities, running from 11am to 4pm, will include house and property tours, exhibits and demonstrations of skills, music, local vendors and horses, including the famous Gulf Station Clydesdale team and a waler.
The Gulf Station volunteers will be sizzling sausages and there is plenty of space to spread out a picnic lunch and enjoy the attractions and activities.
Yarra Glen RSL will be selling Anzac tokens throughout the day.
Gulf Station is at 1029 Melba Highway, Yarra Glen.
Phone 9656 9889 for information.
