Descendant of the Fleming pioneer family Margaret Fleming speaks at the event about the local history relating to the pioneer families and the Soldier Settler Scheme.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
It took four years to set the scene. Now, a piece of local history is officially set in stone.
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A new memorial at the Yarroweyah Memorial Hall was unveiled on the morning of Thursday, October 24.
The memorial immortalises the lives of at least 60 local servicemen who served in both world wars and who lived in the Koonoomoo and Yarroweyah districts before the implementation of the Soldier Settler Scheme.
Their descendants gathered with local residents to mark the occasion.
Moira Shire Council Chair Administrator Graeme Emonson speaks at the event.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
Descendant of one such family Terry Stokes said he was “absolutely chuffed” to have his ancestors’ names set in the stone.
His great-grandparents on the Stokes side settled in the area in 1878 with their five children.
“I’m so proud to belong to this community and have my name still there,” Mr Stokes said.
“It’s just brilliant.”
Descendants of the pioneer families to settle in the Koonoomoo and Yarroweyah districts Peter Bourchier, David Bourchier, John Bourchier, James Bourchier, Don Collie, Peter Sutton and Terry Stokes with the new memorial.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
The project was initiated by local amateur historian Peter Sutton, who, with the help of historian and descendent of the Fleming pioneer family Margaret Fleming, stumbled across the soldiers’ names during COVID-19.
“I felt it was necessary to honour them in their own communities,” Mr Sutton said.
Local amateur historian Peter Sutton spearheaded the memorial project.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
Moira Shire Council Chair Administrator Graeme Emonson said it was an incredibly significant occasion for the Koonoomoo and Yarroweyah communities.
“It’s an opportunity to bridge the gap in acknowledging and especially in dedicating the efforts of those men and women who enlisted to serve their country,” he said.
“This memorial specifically acknowledges the contribution of the pioneers and ancestors of this area who were in the area prior to particularly World War II.”
Dr Emonson added council was delighted to have worked with Ms Fleming and Mr Sutton on the project.
The memorial was supported by Moira Shire Council and the Cobram Barooga RSL sub-branch.
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