The year in review

SOUTH QUEENSLAND

Gallipoli Pines
School Excursion
Council Cemetery Forums
Vandalism

Gallipoli Pines

The Brisbane Depot of OAWG has in recent years been trying to create greater awareness among school students of the sacrifices paid to keep this country a free nation.

The Queensland State Manager, Mr Rod Dorey, has tried to achieve this in two ways. Firstly to encourage excursions by the students to the Queensland Garden of Remembrance and the Lutwyche War Cemetery and secondly, to present Gallipoli pines (Pinus halepensis) to interested schools.

The pines, supplied by the Yarralumla Nursery in Canberra, have been propagated from a Gallipoli pine growing at the Australian War Memorial, which is said to have been grown from a seed cone brought back to Australia by a World War I Gallipoli soldier. The trees have proved very popular and create a focal point for schools to conduct their Anzac commemorative services. In the late 1990s one of the pines was given to the Goodwood State School near Bundaberg. The local RSL regularly sends Rod a photo of the tree with students and a report on its progress.

	Albany Creek High School students visiting Lutwyche War cemetery

School Excursion

Rod’s efforts recently came to fruition when the Albany Creek State High School conducted a student excursion to the Garden of Remembrance, the Lutwyche War Cemetery and other important memorial sites in Brisbane. OAWG staff were on hand to provide assistance. After the excursion, the students were required to complete assignments on the day’s activities.

Council Cemetery Forums

The OAWG State Manager was invited to attend cemetery forums conducted by the Maroochy and Caloundra Councils. They invited stakeholders to seek suggestions for future cemetery expansion plans. OAWG comment is valued by the Councils as they are aware of the extensive travel conducted throughout the state by OAWG staff who regularly sight new innovations which are implemented by other cemetery authorities.

	Staff cleaning the water feature in the Queensland Garden of Remembrance

Vandalism

Unfortunately a number of headstones were broken at the Toowoomba War Cemetery. Thankfully the breaks were clean and the grave contractor based in Toowoomba was able to pin the headstones back into place within 24 hours.

I write in reference to the memorial erected in the Garden of Remembrance. I wish to thank you and all concerned for the attention to this matter and a recent visit with my family gave us all great comfort. I cannot express enough the assistance, support and kindness shown to me by all ‘avenues’ of ‘Veterans’ Affairs’ for which I will be eternally grateful.

I would just like to say a thank you for the memorial placed in the Queensland Garden of Remembrance. Myself and members of the family went on Saturday for a visit. We all felt so honoured and humble to see the memorial with so many other comrades. It is a most beautiful place to visit — makes one feel happy not sad its so alive with the waterfall, goldfish, flowers etc. Also thanks for maintaining it for us all.