On 8 November 1919 the proud members of the Riverstone and Districts Patriotic League unveiled a tribute to the fallen soldiers of Riverstone. On Saturday 9 November Riverstone will again stand proudly as we commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the dedication and acknowledge ‘100 years of our fighting spirit’.
In partnership with Riverstone Schofields RSL Sub-Branch, and Blacktown City Council, the Riverstone & Districts Chamber of Commerce has launched a campaign to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Riverstone’s War Memorial.
One of the first war memorials in New South Wales to have reached this historic landmark, on Saturday 9th November 2019, one hundred years after it was originally unveiled, the Chamber will host a series of local events to commemorate Riverstone’s enduring military history or as we proudly refer ‘’Riverstone’s fighting Spirit’’.
We hope to engage the whole local community, schools, residents and local businesses along with our nearby military units. The campaign will commemorate not only the 32 names are etched onto the War Memorial, but our pride in the locals who have served in more recent military campaigns such as Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor.
“Riverstone’s War Memorial represents the heart of Riverstone, 100 years ago, when it was dedicated, it had 22 names on it. Nine more names were added after World War 2, including the brother of our Patron Bill McNamara, and then one after Korea. We’re fully expecting Riverstone to turn out in full on Saturday 9th November 2019 to commemorate the enormous sacrifice those families made. But we’re also reaching out to veterans of more recent military campaigns, to salute them.”
Local schools and businesses have volunteered to get involved in the days running up to the event and will work with Riverstone’s Historical Society to remind present-day Riverstone of what life was
like during the war years. The day itself will begin with the re-dedication of the War Memorial followed by a cricket match and sausage sizzle.
The Chamber has launched a “Cenotaph 100” Facebook page on 31 July counting down one hundred days to the re-dedication. Through the Facebook page we hope to take people on a journey, to find and connect relatives and friends of those whose names are etched on the War Memorial, along with veterans from more recent campaigns and those members of the Australian Defence Force still serving. If you have information about one of the Riverstone District local heroes we would love to include them in or commemoration. “We owe them a debt of gratitude, and this is one way of recognising that”.
