A Small Window with a Big Story: ANZAC Day Remembered by Future Generations

A quiet moment at the Wycheproof Newsagency over the weekend provided a lovely reminder that the spirit of ANZAC Day continues to be passed on to future generations.

Young brothers George and Connor Harrison paused to study the ANZAC Day window display, carefully examining photographs placed on a Currajong Tree and asking their mum, Tamara, plenty of questions about the people and stories behind them.

With patience, and a little help from Google, Tamara explained the display, even looking up the meaning of the military abbreviation “Pte”, revealing to her sons it stood for the rank of Private. It was a simple but powerful moment of curiosity, learning and remembrance.

The display space has been generously hosted by Sue-Anne Beattie at the Wycheproof Newsagency on Broadway, offering a snapshot on the many ANZAC Day events taking place across the community via the Wycheproof RSL sub-branch, Friends of Mount Wycheproof and many other volunteer community group contributions will bring the day to life.

Key Features
A key feature of this year’s commemorations will be the recognition of “A Living Memorial on Mount Wycheproof”, the re-launch of Wycheproof’s “Forgotten Avenue of Honour”.

An extract of previous advertising content from the “Buloke Times”:
In August 1918, twenty-five local families planted Currajong trees on Mount Wycheproof to honour young men from the district who lost their lives in the First World War. When the Wycheproof Cenotaph was later erected in 1922, the unique avenue on the mount gradually faded from public memory. Today, sixteen of the original trees still stand, and the missing trees have now been replanted and will be re-launched on ANZAC Day.

Community Lunch
Following the ANZAC Day service at Centenary Park, the community is warmly invited to gather on Mount Wycheproof for a barbecue lunch and the official unveiling of a new sign marking the restored Avenue of Currajong Trees.
Connections to the fallen have been carefully researched over many months thanks to the efforts of Alex and Joy Morrison, with many expected to attend the unique re-launch.

Meanwhile, the curiosity shown by George and Connor, the sons of Tamara and Shane Harrison of Wycheproof, offered a touching glimpse of remembrance in action.

In communities like Wycheproof, where history runs deep and stories are shared across generations, it was a heartening reminder that the spirit of ANZAC Day will endure and is set to be safely carried by the next generation.