Legacy remembered at Lone Pine ceremony

Where Kyabram Legacy secretary Ian Danahay reminded students and guests about The Promise, made in a trench to a dying Digger, whose mate said “I’ll look after the missus and the kids”.

It was the beginning of Legacy, and Mr Danahay said although the fledgling days were limited, the organisation would go on to support tens of thousands of families — and it still is.

“Kyabram Legacy began 65 years ago, and we still have 17 Legatees supporting widows in Kyabram, Tongala, Stanhope, Girgarre and Merrigum,” he said.

“Today our branch members, all volunteers, care for 30 widows and two children. Some live independently and some live in aged care facilities.”

Guest speakers were Year 12 student Xavier Powles and Year 11’s Shylee Donaldson.

Both are Colin Sinclair Kokoda Scholars, with Xavier walking the trail in 2025 and Shylee in the term two holidays this year.

They talked about the training, the challenges of the walk and the historic lessons learnt there.

Shylee said all the student trekkers were given a local soldier who fought and died at Kokoda to research and to talk about to others in the group when they reached the scene of his last battle.

Shylee’s Private Watt was presumed killed in action near Efogi around September 5 in 1942 — how and where he actually died has never been confirmed, his body was never recovered for burial and today this 26-year-old is remembered on Panel 4 at Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea and Panel 38 at the Australian War Memorial.

“It has changed me, I really see the world differently now, but I feel it is very hard to explain,” Shylee said.

“Before we went I expected to get a better understanding of the experiences of our soldiers who fought there.

“I have heard about it, read about it, but Tim Bull, who led our trek, was really able to personalise it, right down to where individual soldiers fought and died.

“When you have trekked up there, when you see it that close and hear Tim’s accounts of the battle, it is much more of a reality.

“You hear the numbers of the people killed it’s one thing, when you stand in Bomana War Cemetery and see the crosses, so many crosses, it’s just crazy to think they all represent a man — those numbers suddenly become very real.”

Mr Danahay said Legacy’s support was not only provided to those who served in the world wars but also those who fought in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, the Gulf, Afghanistan, served in peace keeping forces and also the dependents of Australian Defence Force members killed on operational training.

“Which is why it is so important to acknowledge the young people of today; they are our future and to see the enthusiasm for, and interest in, these Lone Pine ceremonies is so pleasing and encouraging,” he said.

“One outcome of recognising this particular time in our history is the understanding we all need to look out for each other.

“Kyabram Legacy is extremely grateful and proud of the ongoing relationship with this school. We are always amazed at its projects and initiatives to remember and pay respect to those who served to defend Australia.”