Federal Minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh has received a plea from Mayor Bronwyn Petrie and Mayor Melissa Hamilton in a cross-border initiative that crosses international borders.
In a well-researched and coordinated move, the two mayor have petitioned The Hon Mr Keough to assist in the preservation of the Wallangarra Dugouts, the largest underground shelter close to the front line of the First World War. It was, according to the joint correspondence, undertaken by the 1st Australian Tunnelling company led by Captain Oliver Holmes Woodward.
Now the mayors are hoping that with some Federal assistance, a local volunteer group can turn the area into a commemorative site, complete with a monument to its significance.
Mayor Hamilton was contacted by the Defence Attache to Belgium, LTCOL Carney Elias to “scope our interest in partnering with a local group of volunteers in Belgium” who are interested in the Wallangarra Dugouts. An SDRC staff member met with two Belgium representatives – online – to see what it was all about.
The Belgium volunteer group’s goal is to have the historic site in the hands of Australian and New Zealand officials, to be celebrated on ANZAC Day. Furthermore, there is a small local group of volunteers “with no financial structure” who need support in undertaking the project.
According to the letter, that group attempted to contact various Australian authorities, including Australian ambassadors to Belgium, the Australian War Memorial and the Commonwealth War Grave Commission. They had about as much luck as calling Telstra over faulty regional coverage and were unable to gain any interest.
Mayors Hamilton and Petrie believe the “future of this project” is in the hands of the Commonwealth government and are asking for passionate support to “preserve the site in memory of our Australian soldiers”.
“I believe their goal and intentions closely align with the work undertaken by your department in relation to recognition and commemorative services (including ANZAC Day) and overseas memorials,” they urge.
The SDRC, who has a bit more coin and staff than Tenterfield Shire, has nominated the research and advocacy support officer, Larissa Thomas, to assist with the initiative, if it gets some Federal back-patting.
