By Mikayla van Loon
After almost a decade of research and planning, the final memorial plaque was unveiled at the Mooroolbark War Memorial on Remembrance Day.
As the fourth instalment to recognise the service of men and women in the peacekeeping and overseas operations of the late 20th century, it was a long time coming to get the plaque in place.
Mooroolbark History Group president Marion Stott said the project, which was facilitated by Yarra Ranges Council, started many years ago and originally was meant to be completed in 2019.
Unfortunately the plaque was not ready and due to the pandemic had to be delayed.
But this year the black enamel plaque, with a red poppy and white writing was unveiled by the community on Saturday 11 November.
Ms Stott said “many people who had not attended a service before were amazed” by it and everyone was very complimentary, calling the day “memorable”.
The plaque joins the previous instalments which recognise the service of those in the Boer War, World War I, World War II and the Asian conflicts of Malaya, Korea and Vietnam.
As a community service, Ms Stott said she always likes to include a different story and this year it focused on the Dickin Medal.
“We included stories of those who served beside us. All the animals who served,” she said.
The Dickin Medal is given to dogs, pigeons, camels, donkeys and horses who served in war and Australia has two pigeons who have received the medal for outstanding service.
“I’m always trying to educate by finding new stories,” Ms Stott said.
With different coloured wreaths laid at the Mooroolbark memorial, Ms Stott explained the significance of each colour.
White represents peace, red represents remembrance, purple represents the service of animals and orange represents the peacekeeping operations, as well as honouring those still serving.
Laying a white wreath herself this year, Ms Stott said she can’t believe after all the devastation in previous wars the world still turns to conflict.
“I’m in my 70s and there are still wars going on, hospitals being bombed, beggars belief. I thought we would have learnt by now,” she said.
