UPGRADE FOR CENTURY-OLD WAR MEMORIAL

Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman has congratulated the Mt Wilson Progress Association, which has received funds to restore its 100-year-old war memorial.

Ms Templeman announced on Tuesday, February 25 that the Association is set to receive a total of $4,000 to restore the Mt Wilson War Memorial and a surrounding fence under the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.

“This is a wonderful outcome for the community of Mt Wilson,” Ms Templeman said.

“I encouraged the Mt Wilson Progress Association to apply through this program, which aims to honour the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service men and women in wars, conflicts and peace operations, as well as promoting appreciation and understanding of the role that those who served have played in shaping the nation.

“Mt Wilson has been through an incredibly traumatic summer and they are a very resilient community.

“I am just thrilled that this investment has been made into the rich history of this close-knit local community.”

The Mt Wilson War Memorial was unveiled on November 29, 1919 as a tribute to those who served in WWI from Mt Wilson, Bell and Mt Irvine, which in fact included all eligible men from the three villages.

For more than 100 years it has served as a central place for reflection for the three communities, as no separate memorial exists in Bell or Mt Irvine.

The memorial now includes the names of those who served in WWII and Vietnam. The WWI names were re-gilded about 20 years ago, and some errors were corrected by an expert stonemason from Wallerawang in 2016.