Tailem Bend Cemetery improved ahead of Anzac Day
Volunteers have improved the Diggers’ Retreat memorial which honours the veterans laid to rest in the town.
This story is now free to read. Help us tell more stories like this by subscribing today.
Tailem Bend’s cemetery is poised for Anzac Day after the enrichment of its Diggers’ Retreat memorial, honouring the veterans resting there, by dedicated volunteers and the Coorong council.
Anzac Day means a great deal to communities throughout Australia.
At the end of 1915, allied forces were evacuated from the Gallipoli Peninsula after both they and their enemies suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships, resulting in more than 8000 Australian soldiers being killed.
Today the meaning of Anzac Day includes the remembrance of all Australians killed in military operations.
Volunteer Pauline Merritt said she was extremely proud of Tailem Bend Cemetery, and understood the importance of honouring Anzac Day and all serving personnel.
“They’re an exceptional group of people who have given so much for the freedom we all share today – that is why we have made an effort at our cemetery to remember them all,” she said.
“Our cemetery wasn’t always as nice and respectable as it is today – we’ve worked very hard over the last 23 years and we’re all extremely proud of our recent addition to our Diggers’ Retreat memorial.
“This year’s improvement, thanks to the Lions Club of Tailem Bend, is a magnificent new ‘lest we forget’ sign designed and fabricated by Tailem Bend’s very own Regional Profile Cutters.”
Volunteers have added a "lest we forget" sign, numbered cemetery rows and installed signage. Photos: Glenn Power.
The cemetery’s volunteers had increased in number over the past year, she said, “which is very pleasing, as some of us oldies will soon be residing in this beautiful resting place”.
Twelve of them catch up at 9am sharp on the first Monday of every month.
“It’s reassuring to know that the cemetery work will continue under the leadership of Ian Appleton, Sharon and Trevor Coombe and Sam Druszcz, fantastic people,” she said.
“I would like to thank Anne Howell, Kaye and Paul Bartlett, my husband Neville, my brother Robert, Don Woods and Les Coombe for all their loyal support over the years.”
She also thanked the Coorong council, as she felt that volunteers had had a fairly free run at renovating the cemetery since they commenced work in early 2003.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
–John McCrae
