Picture special shows how Warrnambool has changed since World War I

In commemoration of Anzac Day, Warrnambool’s RSL has shared historic photographs of south-west Victoria just after World War I. See the comparison to 2022 here.

The face of Warrnambool has changed dramatically since post World War I.

In commemoration of Anzac Day, Warrnambool’s RSL has shared pictures of how south-west Victoria looked shortly after the war in the 1920s.

Photographs include the Anzac march at the Warrnambool Race Course, a dirt road Liebig street, and horse and carriage parked outside the Swintons.

Built in 1865 on Timor Street, Swinton’s Funiture and Bedding store is now a fourth generational family furniture store on the same premises, with an added Swintons Supa IGA and Liquor.

The Warrnambool Railway Station, built in 1890 on Merri Street, played an important part in Warrnambool’s transportation history. It still stands, similar, to this day.

The Warrnambool Soldiers Memorial on the Merri/Liebig Street roundabout on Cannon Hill was finished in 1926 to commemorate soldiers from the south-west who served in World War I.

The monument features a marble soldier, an angel of peace on a 12m high column, and engraved walls with the names of fallen and returned soldiers.

Warrnambool was officially named a city in May 1918, and with continued growth, Liebig Street remains a buzzing hub for the community.

The steady construction of the Warrnambool Race Course and club in the 1850s led to its first famous Grand Annual Steeplechase in 1872.

The race course is now known for its Jericho Cup in honour of the original three-mile race in Jerusalem with the Australian Light Horse in the first world war.

The Warrnambool RSL will begin Anzac Day commemorations with a veteran’s community march starting at 6.25am south of Liebig St.

It will follow the traditional Dawn Service with representation from the Royal Australian Navy.

The community is invited to a gunfire breakfast in the RSL clubrooms which will follow the service. A lunch will also be held at noon.

Friends and family are encouraged to attend the lunch, and the RSL will pay for veterans’ meals but bookings are recommended.

A cemetery walk to visit graves and family memorials of soldiers from the world wars will be hosted by the Warrnambool RSL and the Warrnambool Family History Group.

The walk start at 9am from the Warrnambool Cemetery Rotunda.