Families of the servicemen listed on the Koonoomoo World War I honour board.
Photo by
Abby Green
The Koonoomoo World War I honour board was formally rededicated at Yarroweyah Community Hall on Saturday, May 16, after being rediscovered by the Cobram-Barooga RSL sub-branch.
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The honour board commemorates men from the Koonoomoo district who served during World War I, with family members of those listed attending the service.
Moira Shire Council chair administrator Graeme Emonson and state Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy addressed the gathering, while Fr John Corcoran led the rededication.
Cobram-Barooga RSL president John Hanlon said they discovered the honour board around 18 months ago “sitting around gathering dust and decaying”.
Mr Hanlon said that when it was found, they felt it “really shouldn’t be hanging around in storage” and instead should be on display for the community to see.
“We approached the boys at the men’s shed, and they agreed that they’d do a little bit of work and I think they’ve done a fine job cleaning and polishing it up,” he said.
Mr Hanlon said the board held deep significance for both the families of the servicemen and the broader community.
Cobram-Barooga RSL sub-branch members.
Photo by
Abby Green
“I’d like to think that their hearts are a little bit bigger, swollen with pride because of it,” he said.
“The good thing about it is all the men who are named on it, they all came home, except one who died of wounds in France in 1917.”
He said RSL member Heather Hosie had researched the names on the board and tracked down as many descendants as possible.
“She did a wonderful job,” Mr Hanlon said.
Tocumwal man Murray Haynes said he was “honoured” to attend in remembrance of his ancestors William Joseph Blows, Samuel Herbert Blows and W.E. Blomeley.
“It’s really great to see the board has been revived and to acknowledge the service of my ancestors in World War I,” he said.
David and Diana Bourchier also attended the ceremony in honour of Evelyn Denison Bourchier, Murray W.J. Bourchier and Norman Gerald Bourchier.
The World War I Koonoomoo honour board.
Photo by
Supplied
Sir Murray Bourchier enlisted in the Light Horse Brigade in Numurkah during World War I and led the charge at the Battle of Beersheba in 1917 before later becoming Victoria’s deputy premier.
The Strathmerton Lions Club has also proposed building a memorial statue in his honour.
Peter Bourchier, 86, whose father was Norman Gerald Bourchier, also attended the service.
Mr Bourchier said his father was about 18 years old when he enlisted and later became a member of the RSL in Blighty, NSW, after returning home from the war.
He described the ceremony as “very nice” and said he was grateful for the opportunity to honour his father’s service.
David Jordan, a descendant of the Davenport family, attended the ceremony with his wife, Sandra, and said it was important to preserve the community’s history.
“I think as generations pass away, the next generation doesn't always understand the historical background,” he said.
Mr Jordan thanked the RSL for organising the ceremony and recognising the families connected to the honour board.
Mr Hanlon said it had been a bit of hard work, but that once the day finally came together, it made the effort worthwhile and rewarding.
“We hope that the families are very proud of what's happened today and that their forebears will live on in history,” he said.
The names listed on the Koonoomoo World War I honour board:
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