A VISIT to Gallipoli four years ago inspired the Reverend Victor Haste to plan a commemoration garden for Anzacs at St Nicholas Anglican Church in Mordialloc.
Rev Haste made the journey to Turkey with his wife Barb and came home determined to do something locally to acknowledge and recognise the service and sacrifice of those who fought and died at Gallipoli during World War I.
“Like most Australians who go there to visit the battlefields and attend the dawn service I felt quite moved by what I saw,” he said.
Anzac centenary funding made Rev Haste’s plan a reality and the Mordialloc Community Gallipoli Precinct was officially opened earlier this month. About 150 people attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque for the centenary accompanied by music from the HMAS Cerberus Band.
The reverend says Remembrance Day (Wednesday 11 November) saw Mordialloc Beach Primary School pupils lay a wreath at the new memorial.
“It’s a public precinct and it educates young people who are interested and want to learn about the Anzacs and the need for peace and justice.”
The RSL donated a flagpole for the precinct that was situated at the now closed Edithvale-Aspendale RSL and red brick pavers where people gathered to remember the fallen have also found a new home at St Nicholas Anglican Church’s memorial.
- St Nicholas Anglican Church is at 9 Bear Street, Mordialloc. Art gallery and church open Monday-Thursday 12-3pm, Saturday 10am-1pm. Closed Friday and Public Holidays. Sunday worship 9.15am.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 25 November 2015
