By Mikayla van Loon
Gathering on the grounds of Mooroolbark’s Hookey Park at the foot of the war memorial, stories of local men and women and those from distant places were told in tribute to the Anzacs.
The midday service on the 109th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing commemorated the gallant men and women who served and continue to serve Australia.
Tributes to two local men in particular were shared with the gathered community members who came in their hundreds.
Discharged Royal Australian Engineer serviceman Adam Gatherum did not speak of his own contribution to the army but that of his grandfather, Bob Gatherum.
“Granddad’s full name was Robert James Gatherum, aka Bob… He was born on 16 October 1919…He enlisted in the British army on the 19th of April 1939 and he was discharged after World War II ended in February 1946 after seven years of service,” Adam said.
Starting his time in the army as a photographer, Bob was also training to join the artillery which happened in October 1943.
“On the 6th of June 1944, the US, the British and the Canadian forces landed in Normandy. Granddad’s unit landed at Juno Beach.”
From written memories, Bob documented the smells and reality of war, like not showering for weeks at a time and “how we run desperately through a field with known mines to seek support from a nearby army unit, only to be advised they are under attack as well”.
Witnessing moments like that of the surrender of villages in Germany, Adam said his grandfather “wished to have his camera to document his part in history”.
“Reluctantly transferred” to the Military Police to finish out his service, Bob helped ensure curfews were observed, undertook traffic control and battlefield clearance of ammunition.
Adam said his grandfather was “proud to be a Normandy veteran” and never held any malice.
“His quote was, ‘it’s only with the passage of time I’ve found it easier to cope with more vivid memories of all the suffering we saw and experienced so many years ago.
“They also made me more conscious of and thankful for the freedom we enjoy here in our most fortunate land’.
“He was a man who always looked for the good in people, and he found it. He happily devoted his life to serving his family, his community and the country.”
Remembering another important figure in the Lilydale, Kilsyth and Mooroolbark communities, historian Anthony McAleer OAM spoke of the recent passing of former Lilydale RSL president Eric Dosser.
The tribute talked of his over 15 years of service as president and the years prior as the official bugler.
Anthony said he would be remembered for advancing the Lilydale RSL to its current state and building a family friendly community at the sub-branch, among his achievements in keeping the veteran legacy alive.
“Eric passed away a few weeks ago under tragic circumstances and we send our condolences to his friends and family,” he said.
Casey MP Aaron Violi reflected on the 80th anniversary year of D-Day, often recognised as “a turning point of the Second World War”.
“This year, we remember the 6000 ships and 10,000 aircraft that converged. On the beaches of Normandy in northern France,” he said.
“In those skies were 1800 Australian airmen of the Royal Air Force, and a further 1000 flying with the RAAF. Others served with the Navy and British Army, including my grandfather.”
For Yarra Ranges Council mayor Sophie Todorov, remembering those who did not return but also the lives they gave up to serve Australia was important to recognise.
“Each person who took up arms and took part was a person with a family, with friends, a history, and a community back home. They were all meant to be a part of them in return. They had hopes and dreams, things they had already achieved and things they still wanted to do,” she said.
“[An] extremely high cost that has been paid on behalf of us who came after. This is why we gather every year whether we take a quiet moment of silence at home, whether we stand for the ode at our RSLs at 6pm or we gather for Dawn and daytime services in this community.”
Mayor Todorov also briefly spoke of the ongoing reality of war and said “I look forward to the day we can all hold our hearts and hands in peace”.
The Mooroolbark Anzac Day service, for the last 10 years, has been organised by Marion Stott, president of the town’s history group.
In the final moments of the commemorations, Ms Stott announced she would be stepping down from organising, hoping the next generation would take up the legacy that has been created.
“This is going to the next generation, it must be handed on,” she said.
