Rockbank walk honours veterans

Bruce and Cherrison Lawton from the Bacchus Marsh RSL. Photo: Dennis Manktelow

A Rockbank site that once housed a post-second world war communications depot has been transformed to commemorate Australian troops.

Developers Woodlea last month unveiled the first stage of a 500-metre Walk of Honour that will mirror the famous Avenues of Honour in Bacchus Marsh and Ballarat, once its completed by Remembrance Day next year.

There will be educational plaques – and an associated smartphone app – defining the walk, with the first stage zoned for Boer and World War I memorials.

Woodlea project director Matthew Dean said the site would eventually commemorate all significant military conflicts in which Australia has been involved, including WWII, Vietnam and Afghanistan, with vacant space left at the end of the walk for future war efforts.

“Through the involvement of the various Melton and Caroline Springs community groups, the Walk of Honour has been created to commemorate not only each conflict, but specific local stories of sacrifice,” Mr Dean said.

“In collaboration with Melton council, we are aiming to connect with new generations of residents, to tell the stories of Australian heroes throughout history, and we are proud to be working with local schools to incorporate areas of the walk into school curriculums.”

Local community groups – Melton Family History Group, Melton Historical Association, Caroline Springs RSL, Melton RSL and the Partners of Veterans Associations – have been involved in the creation of the Walk of Honour at Fields Street.