Legatee Alwyn Drysdale and Australian Air League Shepparton Squadron’s Greg and Dianna O’Brien beside Robert ‘Lone Pine Bob’ Drysdale’s commemorative statue.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Staff and students from Kyabram P-12 College assembled to remember the Battle of Lone Pine before its namesake tree recently.
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State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, Campaspe Shire Cr Luke Sharrock, Kyabram Legacy and community members joined to commemorate the battle.
Emcee and Kyabram Legacy secretary Gavon Armstrong acknowledged the guests, highlighting the attendance of legatee Alwyn Drysdale, the widow of the late Robert ‘Lone Pine Bob’ Drysdale.
Wreaths were laid by Lone Pine Bob’s commemorative statue by Mr Walsh, Cr Sharrock, legatee Isobel Attwood, and college secondary and primary captains.
Allana Sulewski, Julie Sulewski, MP Peter Walsh, Max Webster, Darcy Walsh, Edward Trimble and Harry Jenkins by the wreaths.
College captains Indianah Baumann and Chris Cheng laid a tribute.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Kyabram Legacy’s Peter Fitzgerald was invited to read the Legacy story, and John Lilford recited The Ode before Mark Turner played The Last Post.
Peter Fitzgerald discussed the history of Legacy and its local impact.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Mark Turner performing The Last Post.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Representatives from the Australian Air League stood solemnly beneath the flag posts as legatee Max Webster performed a flag-raising ceremony.
Peter Fitzgerald and Ian Danahay read In Flanders Fields and The Answer, respectively, and former ADF serviceman Darcy Walsh relayed the history of the Battle of Lone Pine.
Kyabram Legacy's Gavon Armstrong, Peter Richards and Ian Danahay.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Fromer ADF serviceman Darcy Walsh.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
College chaplain Liz Spicer was asked to share some words of wisdom, discussing the meaning behind symbols at the ceremony and what they represent.
Kyabram P-12 College chaplain Liz Spicer.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
“We are showing respect, and we’re admiring our servicemen and women for their resilience, and the legatees as well,” she said.
“And we also respect our flag which we have up here, which lots of people fought under for our benefit.”
Ms Spicer led attendees in prayer before Kyabram RSL member Clive Toms recited the Lord’s Prayer.
Kyabram RSL member Clive Toms leading the ceremony in the Lord’s Prayer.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
College primary captains Marley Vernon and Ivy Costa-Lowe then took turns to read A Seed of that Tree at Lone Pine, written locally 27 years ago.
College captains Marley Vernon and Ivy Costa-Lowe.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Kyabram Legacy chair John Lilford presented the college’s captains with certificates that committed them to guardianship of the Lone Pine tree.
College captains Indianah Baumann, Marley Vernon, Chris Cheng, Ivy Costa-Lowe, Ruby Phillips and Isobella Church, and Kyabram Legacy chair John Lilford.
“This tree is a bit like our soldiers, I think” he said.
“It’s been through a few battles, but it’s won the victory, and it stands tall today.”
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