IT IS more than 40 years since the names of those who lost their lives in World War I and World War II from the Maroona area were last on display to the public, but this has now been rectified with the unveiling of a new War Memorial at the Maroona Recreation Reserve.
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The Maroona Memorial Hall was destroyed by fire in 1973, but thankfully the Honour Roll was saved before the hall was engulfed in flames, preserving for the future the names of those who died in war.
While the community was aware that the Honour Roll had survived, there was nowhere to display it publicly, so in 2012 the Maroona Recreation Centre Committee decided to explore opportunities to establish a permanent memorial.
President of the Maroona Recreation Centre Committee Steve Shannon said the committee spent considerable time investigating funding sources and was eventually successful in obtaining a grant of $3250 from the Department of Veterans Affairs' Saluting their Service program, while also receiving $2000 through two applications to the Ararat RSL's Community Grants Program.
"Having these funds available enabled us to do something a little more elaborate," Mr Shannon said.
"We wanted to do something to do the 'old boys' proud."
More than 150 people attended the memorial unveiling, many travelling from interstate and using the opportunity to enjoy a 'family reunion' at the same time.
The ceremony included the national anthem performed by Maroona Primary School junior choir, a prayer of dedication by Pastor Tony Llewellyn from the Church of Christ and the unveiling by Ararat RSL Sub branch president Frank Neulist, followed by a wreath laying ceremony. Wreaths were laid by representatives from the Ararat RSL, Ararat Rural City, Ararat Legacy, Maroona Primary School and the Maroona Recreation Centre Committee on behalf of all residents of Maroona.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the Hopkins Correctional Centre Landmate gang, Gellie Earthmoving and Cray Bros Memorials, who all contributed to the works at the memorial.
As part of the celebrations a number of wall panels made by Kerrin Gellie were presented to the Committee and will be placed on the walls of the pavilion. The panels depict photographs and history of the district's families.
Mr Shannon said all names from the old Honour Roll were transferred to the new memorial, but that it was interesting to note that not all may have been permanent residents of Maroona.
"Some of the names belonged to itinerant workers, who were railway workers working here at the time," he said.
"They were seen as worthy of honouring at the time, so we weren't going to rewrite history, so made a direct copy of the honour roll."
The name of John Crouch Senior, who fought in the Boer War, was also added to the memorial.
Mr Shannon said the committee was pleased that the memorial had finally come to fruition and now honours those who offered their lives in service.
"The memorial honours all those who gave their life in service and serves as a permanent reminder that our freedom is not free," he said.