The sacrifice of the World War I diggers of the St George area who marched off to fight more than 100 years ago will be remembered in unique new artwork to be unveiled at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park at the end of the year.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is organising the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project Soil Collection to commemorate the Centenary of the end of World War I.
Samples of soil are being taken from 1600 WWI memorials and sites around NSW to be included in the project.
And as one of NSW’s oldest RSL sub-branches, Arncliffe was selected to contribute some of its soil to be sent to the Anzac Memorial.
Soil samples have also been collected from Banksia, Rockdale, Brighton-Le-Sands, Kogarah, Kogarah Bay, Ramsgate, Sandringham, Sans Souci, Carlton, Bexley, Oatley, Hurstville, Penshurst, Mortdale and Peakhurst, honouring those soldiers who considered the St George area home when they enlisted in the Great War.
The Arncliffe RSL Sub-branch dates back to 1917 when they were originally the RSS & AILA (Returned Soldiers, Sailors & Airmen, Imperial League of Australia).
“More than 420 Servicemen from the Arncliffe area served in WWI, which is a significant number for any area in the day,” Arncliffe RSL Sub-branch member Max Malcolm said.
“Many of the 420 made the ultimate sacrifice, and their memories are honoured to this day. The Ode to the Fallen is still recited daily at Club Arncliffe, the inheritor of the traditions of Arncliffe RSL. “
The Centenary Project will see a new extension to the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney, to open by the end of the year in time for the commemoration of the end of WWI in 1918.
The soil collected from Anzac memorials will be used as part of a Centenary Project artwork by artist Fiona Hall which will be on display at the Anzac Memorial.
This will include a plaque for every town, suburb and locality around NSW that enlistees for WWI have as their place of addresses.
A sample of soil collected from the area will be displayed alongside the place name. These plaques will line the walls of the Hall of Service.
The Department of Veterans Affairs NSW identified the exact sites where the samples of soil for display in the project is currently being collected.
Last Friday, soil was collected by Minister for Veterans Affairs, David Elliott from Arncliffe Anzac Memorial at Arncliffe Park during a special service held by the RSL Sub-branch.
“The St George area gave a huge number of people to the war effort and this important contribution will be recognised in the collection of soil from Arncliffe,” Mr Elliott said.
“A century on, we honour these Australians by taking a sample of soil and placing it in the Hall of Service at the refurbished Anzac Memorial so that it can be appreciated and commemorated by generations to come.”