War memorial ceremony a ‘proud moment’ for Craigieburn community

‘WE NOW have a place to remember them’. The new Craigieburn War Memorial has been officially consecrated at a special ceremony.

Lieutenant Colonel Derek Snipe Warrant Officer Class 1 Sean Smith at the Craigieburn war memorial dedication ceremony on April 2.

THE new Craigieburn war memorial has been officially consecrated at a dedication ceremony.

After years of work, the Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee and Hume Council officially unveiled the memorial at ANZAC Park on Sunday, April 2.

Hume mayor Drew Jessop said the event was a proud moment for the community.

“The memorial is here to remind generation after generation that long ago, Australians chose to join the fight for freedom and liberty,” he said.

DONATIONS ROLL IN FOR WAR MEMORIAL

“We are humbled and touched by their incredible acts of courage and dedication and this memorial recognises this.”

The council gave $50,000 to help fund the memorial’s construction, the State Government $25,000 and Stockland $10,000.

World War II Veteran Bert Foster at the Craigieburn war memorial dedication ceremony.

The remaining $15,000 of the funding came from Hume businesses and the community.

War memorial committee president Kevin O’Callaghan said this year’s Craigieburn Anzac Day service would be held at the site on April 25.

McEwen MP Rob Mitchell, who also attended the dedication ceremony, said he felt honoured to speak at the event.

“It was particularly special to meet a World War II gunner who served in New Guinea around the same time as my grandfather,” he said.

“These sorts of connections will be possible for so many more of us because we now have a place to remember them.”

Cr Carly Moore said the Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee had done an “amazing” job on the memorial project.

Cr Drew Jessop at the official Craigieburn war memorial dedication ceremony on April 2.