By KATH GANNAWAY
PLANS for a Seville War Memorial are edging closer to reality with the injection of a $20,000 grant under the State Government ANZAC Community Grants Program.
The project which would see a contemporary cenotaph erected in Seville township was launched last year with a target of around $160,000.
The memorial, designed by Wayne Deklij, is a project of the Seville Township Group and comprises the cenotaph as stage one, and a garden of reflection as stage two.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe congratulated the committee behind the project last week saying it was a project that would not only honour Seville’s own Victoria Cross winner, George Ingram, but which aimed to help the community stay connected to the history of World War I and the role served by local veterans.
George Ingram was born in Baggshot near Bendigo and grew up in Seville.
After serving in Rabaul, George Ingram went on to serve in the 24th Battallion AIF on the Western Front where he was awarded both the Military Medal and the Victoria Cross.
In a book launched last year – ‘Great Courage and Initiative’, Mount Evelyn historian and author Anthony McAleer said he lived an heroic life.
Seville Township Group president Sue McMurdy said the memorial would provide a central place for people to gather on occasions such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
“The pool and the bus shelter are memorials, and we have memorial plaques on the gates at the school, but a central location to gather around on these special days is something we have never had,” she said.
The $20,000 takes the memorial fund to $37,000 and there are plans as part of the campaign to hold a number of fund-raisers to move the project forward.
The first is the Seville War Memorial Cup between Seville and Wandin football/netball clubs on 6 March at the Seville Recreation Reserve.
A concert staring Vietnam Veteran and 60s pop idol Normie Rowe is planned for April as well as a business lunch in June with a guest speaker, and host organisation Wandin/Seville (Bendigo) Community Ban promises the event will be a major drawcard.
Donations to the fund can be made in big or small amounts in the donation tins throughout Wandin and Seville, in person at any Bendigo bank branch or on-line via the Seville War Memorial Facebook page (BSB 633000 Acct 144419736 Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal – Seville War Memorial). Donations are tax deductible.
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