Construction underway on new Kangaroo Flat Soldiers Memorial Wall

A joint, $180,000 Anzac Centenary project between the City of Greater Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat RSL and the Victorian Government - Victoria Remembers Grant Program to acknowledge and protect local military heritage for the future is now underway in Kangaroo Flat.

City of Greater Bendigo Parks and Open Space Manager Paul Gangell said through the project a new concrete memorial wall is being constructed at the Kangaroo Flat Soldiers Memorial to acknowledge all of the personnel from the area that served in World War One. 

“The new wall will also provide space for future names to be added.  In addition landscaping to complement the new wall and improve access to the memorial on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day will be undertaken,” Mr Gangell said.

“Each year the crowds gathering on these special days continue to grow in Kangaroo Flat and the new landscaping works that we are undertaking as part of the project will help the site better cope with the large crowds at the memorial.”

Kangaroo Flat RSL President Craig Chilver said when the Soldiers Memorial was first built many of the existing names on the historic monument were added through a subscription process which has meant that names of some of the area’s service personnel have not been added to the honour roll.

“There are many reasons why some families did not take out a subscription, maybe they couldn’t afford it at the time or they moved away before the memorial was constructed,” Mr Chilver said.

“Whatever the reason the addition of the new Anzac Centenary Wall will redress this historical inaccuracy and at the same time, preserve and enhance what is already a significant historic memorial space on Kangaroo Flat’s major streetscape.

“The combination of the new and old will make this memorial space accurate and relevant for the older generations while introducing a new contemplative memorial space and enhancing the existing green space for younger generations of the Kangaroo Flat community.

“It’s very exciting for the Kangaroo Flat RSL and we are delighted to see it finally coming to fruition.”

The project is expected to be complete before the end of year.