Commemorating 100 years since the end of WW1
Published on 21 March 2017
COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS SINCE THE END OF WW1
Media Release
To commemorate 100 years since the end of WW1 Gannawarra Shire Council is ensuring that our service men and women are not lost to time.
“Through the Beyond the Battle project, a committee comprising of council, youth and local community members are collecting WW1 photos, stories and documents to be assembled into a documentary style film” Mayor Brian Gibson explains.
“This is a 2 year project that will commemorate the men and women who served in WW1, which will create a lasting digital record that will be accessible to the public for years to come,” Mayor Gibson said.
The Australian War Memorial has recorded that 416,809 men and women enlisted to serve Australia in WW1, with over 215,000 of those becoming casualties, falling prisoner of war, missing in action, wounded during service or killed in action.
“From the Gannawarra Shire we know that at least 175 men gave their lives in service of the war and many were mentally and physically wounded, affecting the rest of their lives,” Mayor Gibson said.
The project intends to create a documentary style film to honour the men and women who served in WW1, both from the Gannawarra Shire and relatives of those who now reside in the Shire.
Council’s Manager Library Services Kerri Sidorow said the project will culminate with a film shown on Remembrance Day 2018.
“A shorter version of the film will be shown at a public event on Remembrance Day 2017 with the longer, final edit of the film to be shown on Remembrance Day 2018 to close the 100 year commemorations.”
“We are especially interested in searching for Indigenous service men and women, including diverse servicemen and women from all nations, and exploring the contributions they made to the war,” Mrs Sidorow said.
“Council welcomes the community to take part in the project by bringing in their family photos/stories/artefacts. We will make digital copies via scan and/or photography to ensure future generations can see them.”
Anyone interested in contributing to the project can make an appointment through the Kerang library, or via the Beyond the Battle page on the Gannawarra Shire website or email beyondthebattle@gannawarra.vic.gov.au.
Further information on the Beyond the Battle project can be found on the Gannawarra Shire website or by following the project via Instagram: @beyondthebattleproject
For more information please contact Council on 5450 9333 or visit council’s website
www.gannawarra.vic.gov.au
…ENDS…
Date: 21 March 2017
Media contact: Katrina Thorne T. 03 5450 9333 M. 0409 616 627