A glass-panelled memorial for Australians who died during the Vietnam War will be erected at Melton next year.
Last week, Melton council gave the Vietnam Veterans Association’s Melton sub-branch approval to install the new memorial outside the Mechanics Institute Hall.
The council also agreed to contribute $5000 towards the $25,000 project, which is the second of its kind in the state.
The association’s Melton secretary, James Fitzgerald, was grateful for the council’s support.
“[Council] has looked after us marvelously; we can’t thank them enough,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “We’re very excited for what’s to come.”
The memorial will be a replica of one at Seymour, with the names of all the Australian soldiers who died during the Vietnam War etched on an Australian-flag background on a glass panel.
Following a day trip to Seymour earlier this year, the association’s Melton president John Hodges approached the council and a number of other organisations for funding for the project.
In a letter dated October 16, Mr Hodges said the members felt “strongly about honouring these fellow Australians, and we are hoping to have council’s support to achieve that”.
Vietnam veterans contributed $5000 to the project and Club Caroline Springs $10,000. Mr Fitzgerald said they were awaiting confirmation of a $5000 grant from Tabcorp.
“I think the memorial will be a drawcard for many people outside Melton,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“It will be great.”
While he couldn’t confirm the exact size of the memorial, Mr Fitzgerald said it would be of “significant” size and installed some time next year.
Council support
In a report presented at last week’s council meeting, officers recommended that councillors support the memorial and the Melton sub-branch in its latest project.
“The proposed project will have a broad community benefit in working with the members of the sub-branch to recognise and honour the memory of the Australian servicemen [who] made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War,” the report states.
“The proposed memorial has great significance … and will serve to enhance the overall community observance and experience of the annual Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies.”
