The Shire of York in Western Australia has proudly unveiled new works to honour the Shire’s strong Anzac association.
Federal Member for Pearce and Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter, attended a dedication service in York on July 8 to mark the completion of works associated with the joint York RSL and Shire of York Anzac Centenary Local Grant.
Mr Porter, together with Dr Mike Galvin, unveiled a bronze bas-relief portrait honouring York-born Lt Lawrence Dominic McCarthy VC and a plaque commemorating the part all York servicemen played in WW1.
Mr Peter Aspinall, State President of the RSL and Mr David Watson from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs unveiled a bronze plaque marking a newly-installed historic WW1 armament, a 77mm Krupp Gun, which was presented to York in 1920.
The grant provided a shelter for its display at the War Memorial Park.
Lettering of the names on the Memorial has been repainted and an additional small granite plinth added at the base of the Memorial, which was unveiled by the Shire President David Wallace and Kevin Trent, President of the York Sub Branch of the RSL.
At the RSL Hall in Avon Terrace Mr Porter unveiled eight plinths representing the Units in which many of the men from York served in the First World War.
Mr Porter said that he had worked hard to highlight grant applications made by community groups in Pearce.
“It is important to commemorate the acts and deeds of those present at the Gallipoli landings and honour the sacrifices of those service personnel who have helped forge our national identity,” Mr Porter said.
“The town of York has a long and proud association with the Anzac tradition and this project has had a high level of community support and I am proud to be a part of the services.”
