Pupils salute new war memorial

Diggers Rest Primary School pupils Charlie, Matthew and Zoe at the new memorial. Picture: Shawn Smits

Diggers Rest’s war history is expected to be further embedded in the community spirit when a memorial is unveiled.

The Diggers Rest Lion’s Club and Diggers Rest Primary School have pooled federal government funding to create the Diggers Rest War Memorial.

An unveiling ceremony will be held at the Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve on Sunday, August 9, to coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of Amiens.

School principal Rachelle Hedger believes the marble memorial, to be engraved with the names of all Diggers Rest’s World War I soldiers, will become a focal point of the town.

A “teaching garden” with seating, native plants and a flag pole will be part of the memorial set-up.

“To be able to provide a place not only for students to continue the Anzac tradition, but the whole community, is incredibly important,’’ Ms Hedger said.

“For the community and school leaders to now be able to attend Anzac Day and Remembrance Day commemorations in their own community is something very special.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the unveiling on Sunday, August 9, from 2pm.

There will be guest speakers and a laying of wreaths.