February 9, 2015
A Federal Government ANZAC Centenary Local Grant will help the Lions Club of Lindenow bring to life the stories of young farmers who went to war for their country 100 years ago.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said Lindenow Lions Club had been successful in its application for an $8200 grant to undertake research, collect memorabilia and produce a booklet to commemorate the centenary.
Mr Chester said the grant would enable an important part of Lindenow’s war story to be preserved for future generations.
“Like so many other small rural communities at the time, Lindenow paid a heavy price in World War I by losing many fine young men to war service,” Mr Chester said.
“In this Centenary year of the ANZACs, it is important we recognise and pay special tribute to the young men who left their farms and towns and never returned.
“It is also an opportunity to reflect on those who did return, but gave up a large part of themselves for their country.”
Mr Chester said the Lions Club of Lindenow had put forward a compelling submission for the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program.
The club will research the personal stories of the individuals who made the supreme sacrifice in World War I and also share stories of those who returned to work on the land in the Lindenow area.
Lions Club of Lindenow president Phillip Evans said the ANZAC Centenary was particularly poignant for the community.
“Of the eight men listed as having been killed in action or missing on the Lindenow Roll of Honour, five are believed to have died in a 48-hour period on the Gallipoli Peninsula – two of them brothers,” Mr Evans said.
“Our aim is to put a face to the names of those that served. These men were farmers, cricketers, footballers – integral parts of the community.
“Their stories and those of their families will give cause for reflection for the selfless acts of 100 years ago.”
The Lions Club will prepare a commemorative booklet for distribution at the Lindenow Dawn Service in April, and also a hard copy for distribution to schools, the RSL, historical societies and the Australian War Memorial.
A brass plaque will also be placed on the external ANZAC memorial next to the Lindenow Hall with the names of those who died in World War I. The plaque inside the hall will be updated to include names from honour boards that are no longer on public view within the district.
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester chats with Lions Club of Lindenow President Phillip Evans about Lindenow’s connection with the Gallipoli campaign. The Lions club has received a Federal Government grant to help commemorate the centenary of ANZAC in April.
