Heritage Walk to honour our Anzacs

Maroondah residents can pay their respects to local Anzacs with the Ringwood World War I Armistice Heritage Walk.

This important historical and commemorative project was led by a number of community groups, in particular the Ringwood and District Historical Society and the Ringwood RSL.

The walk has ten signs that detail the significance of World War I and its connection with the Ringwood community. The signs are placed in chronological order, from 1914 to 1918, as the walk progresses up Maroondah Highway from the Clocktower, turning into Station Street and returning to the Clocktower.

In 2018, Australia celebrated the Centenary of the Armistice of World War I. The Australian Government, through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), established an Armistice Centenary Grant Program, which provided the funds to establish the Ringwood World War I Armistice Heritage Walk.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Rob Steane, said the walk pays tribute to those from Ringwood who served during World War I and the ways their service impacted the community.

“We are pleased to have been able to support the implementation of this memorial walk, which commemorates those from Ringwood who bravely served Australia and its allies in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and how this impacted the local community,” Cr Steane said

“It also tells the social history of the community of Ringwood over 100 years ago - the trauma they endured, and the remarkable survival of families and individuals,” Cr Steane said.

President of the Ringwood and District Historical Society, Russ Haines, said the walk describes “the history of Ringwood’s all-encompassing connection with World War I.”

“The walk describes the social significance of not only our volunteers performing their moral duty, by signing up to serve, but also the emotional and physical toil on those who remained back in Ringwood.

“In many instances women, children and the elderly ran the orchards and businesses in the absence of the servicemen and servicewomen. The finality of the War depicted the significant loss of life, or mental and physical anguish on those who returned after the Armistice. Some ‘got on with things’ and returned to family, friends and occupations. Others suffered for many years; no one wins in a war,” Russ said.

“The walk shows our community, and those to come, the real tragedy of war. Yet, it illustrates the fortitude, perseverance and endurance of those who remained on the Home Front, by supporting each other and those serving overseas. Their noble principles teach us, and upcoming generations, that love of your neighbour and hope for the future are the overriding goals of any successful society, which Ringwood illustrated over 100 years ago.”

President of the Ringwood RSL, Colonel David Jamison AM (Retd), said the walk provides “a focus for citizens to learn and understand” the contribution Ringwood residents made towards the Australian involvement in World War I, which was “far wider than just providing servicemen and women to fight.”

“The Armistice Walk enables people to gain a greater knowledge of the contribution made by Ringwood towards our war effort and promotes a better understanding of the roles played by our local service people.

“We remember their exploits, celebrate their achievements, and mourn the loss of so many good men and women whose lives were taken in serving their country,” Col Jamison said.

“These are brought to the fore on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, but [the walk] should be a constant reminder that the price paid to keep our freedoms was and is very high.”

Such understanding can help prevent our society from “having to repeat the mistakes of the past in a much more dangerous world,” Col Jamison said.

Commemorative marches and dawn services will be held in Maroondah to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

Ringwood RSL will commemorate Anzac Day with a march on Sunday 23 April at 9.30am, assembling at Ringwood Square, New and Seymour Streets, Ringwood, and a dawn service on Tuesday 25 April from 5.30am at the Ringwood Memorial Clocktower, Maroondah Highway, Ringwood.

Croydon RSL sub-branch will commemorate Anzac Day with a march on Sunday 23 April at 2.30pm, starting at the corner of Hewish Road and Main Street, Croydon, and a dawn service on Tuesday 25 April from 5.45am at the Croydon War Memorial, corner Kent Avenue and Croydon Road roundabout.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Rob Steane, encourages the community to attend.

“More than 100 years on, Anzac Day still resonates deeply with our community - both young and old. It is a day which sees thousands of people pause each year to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have bravely served our nation in wartime and those who continue to serve around the world.

“To our veteran community, thank you for your service and all of the sacrifices you have made for us.

“I encourage Maroondah residents to spend a moment reflecting on the sacrifices of those who have bravely served our nation, and to attend a local service or march, if you can, to pay your respects to our Anzacs and veterans this Anzac Day,” Cr Steane said.

If you would like to support the Anzac Appeal, you can donate online at anzacappeal.com.au Money raised through the annual fundraiser will go towards funding vital services for veterans and their families.

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