The year in review

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Retirement of State Manager
Dutch Annexe
General Activities

Retirement of State Manager

Mr Max Kronberger retired in April 2002 as the State Manager for Western Australia.

During his employment with OAWG many changes and improvements were implemented at the OAWG Western Australian facility. These included the complete renovation of the Garden of Remembrance to increase its capacity, as well as major extensions to staff and works accommodation at the Perth War Cemetery. Other major projects included replacement of the irrigation system at the Perth War Cemetery, including installation of a new filtration plant to remove iron oxides from the bore water. The new system prevents staining of the headstones and has been a vast improvement to the aesthetics of the Cemetery.

The new OAWG Western Australia State Manager, Mr Daniel Lenferna, commenced duty in April 2002.

	Retiring State Manager for Western Australia, Max Kronberger

Dutch Annexe

On Friday 8 February the Ambassador to the Netherlands Dr. Hans Sondaal made an official visit to the Perth War Cemetery, Dutch Annexe. Members of the Associated Netherlands Society were on site to meet the Ambassador and to assist in the formal wreath laying service. Several wreaths were laid in memory of the 26 people buried in the Dutch Annexe. These are the graves of some of the victims of an air raid on Broome in March 1942 when the Japanese Air Force destroyed flying boat aircraft that were waiting to refuel after bringing evacuees out of Java.

On Saturday 4th May the Associated Netherlands Societies in Western Australia held their ‘Dutch National Day Service’ in the Dutch Annexe to remember all Dutch Nationals who died in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and in any other part of the world. Approximately 40 people attended the ceremony.

	Visitors to the Dutch National Day service, Dutch Annexe, Perth War Cemetery

General Activities

The plant material in the shrub borders surrounding the Perth War Cemetery is very mature. A program of planting commenced to rationalise the beds and reduce the gaps. This work commenced in winter and will be continued over subsequent years to establish a uniform landscape scale and planting scheme.

A turf renovation project at the Perth War Cemetery in December 2002 consisted of extensions to the existing irrigation systems, complete removal of existing turf and accumulated thatch, rationalisation of soil levels to the headstones and finally the replacement of the turf surface with turf stolons. The replacement of the existing Buffalo grass with Kikuyu will allow OAWG to raise the quality of the turf and reduce water requirements throughout the year. The area is currently in an establishment phase.

	Planting of new turf stolons during turf renovation

Nine panels of commemoration plaques in the Western Australian Garden of Remembrance have been identified as requiring refurbishment. These panels have minimal exposure to the sun, and deterioration is more rapid in damp conditions. A contractor was engaged to undertake the restoration work to one of the panels and establish the performance of the laminate products used. Work on the other panels will be undertaken subject to satisfactory performance of the laminate and provision of additional funding.

Repairs were also carried out to the Cross of Sacrifice in the Perth War Cemetery.

	above: Repairs being undertaken to stonework on Cross of Sacrifice, Perth War Cemetery

	above: Tree surgery, Perth War Cemetery

I would like to thank Veterans’ Affairs Australian War Graves for the memorial which was erected for my late mother’s brother at Fremantle Cemetery. My brothers and sisters were thrilled to see the memorial after it was completed by your association. It makes us feel so proud to know that the men and women who fought so bravely for this wonderful country in the wars are remembered by you. I would like to commend your association for the wonderful work you do for the deceased. As we look around Fremantle Cemetery we see so many war graves so well looked after. It makes me proud to be Australian. Keep up the good work and God bless you.

Thank you for advising me of the completion of the official memorial for my late husband. I have today visited the WA Garden of Remembrance and must say I am very happy and proud of the memorial also the beautiful and well kept garden and surrounds.

I have just visited the Western Australian Garden of Remembrance where a plaque is installed for my late husband. The whole area is beautifully maintained and the gardens lend a peaceful atmosphere to the setting. I would like to thank you for this tribute to my beloved husband.