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The Great
War : Extracts
from the City of Footscray Annual Report 1920-21 J. R. JOHNSON, Esq., J.P., Mayor |
CITY OF FOOTSCRAY SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL FUND
CITIZENS' MEMORIAL STATUE
WAR TROPHY
UNVEILING OF SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL
AT FOOTSCRAY PARK (Page 10)
On Anzac Day, 1921 the Returned Sailors and Soldiers of Footscray
arranged and carried out a very impressive ceremony, when a Memorial that had been obtained and
placed by them in the Footscray Park with the Council's permission,
was unveiled by Brig.-General Brand, State Commandant.
The Monument is 18 feet high, and is made of granite, mounted
upon double plinth.
The inscription thereon reads. "'Lest We Forget,' to the
memory of the Fallen Diggers by their Returned Comrades, 1914
-1919."
The Mayor, Cr. J. R. Johnson represented the Council of the Municipality
in the speeches that were made on the occasion. He announced
that it was his desire that photographs of deceased Soldiers
should be forwarded to the Town Hall.
CITY OF FOOTSCRAY SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL FUND
This year has seen the accomplishment of the desire, of the Committee of the above Fund. The splendid residence, with extensive surroundings, known as "Amaryllis," Geelong Road, and owned by ex Mayor Shillabeer, were purchased for the sum of £3,900 by the Trustees' and the Committee. The procedure in connection with the purchase of this property was advised by the Solicitors, Messrs. Secomb & Woodfull.
A meeting of all Subscribers to the Fund was convened by public advertisement in the name of the Mayor of the City and President of the Committee. The meeting took place at the town Hall on Tuesday, the 17th May, 1921. the subscribers unanimously decided that the Mayor for the time being of the City of Footscray, the President for the time being of the Footscray Branch of the Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia, the President for the time being of the Footscray Branch of the Sailors' and Soldier's Fathers' Association, and Messrs. E. Hallenstein, E. Hooper, T.H. Launder, be the Trustees of all Funds"; that the said funds and all property acquired therewith be vested in the said Trustees. The Trustees and the Executive of the Citizens' Committee were also authorized by the Subscribers to prepare a Deed of Trust to define in what manner the property should be held and managed in future.
The Trust Deed was duly prepared, considered and unanimously adopted by those appointed. The sum of £2,500 was paid on the signing, of the Contract with Mr. Shillabeer, and the balance is to he paid in twelve months free of interest. The Soldiers are now in possession of the property.
There is no doubt that a splendid bargain has been made for
our local Diggers. They have an Institution which will compare
most favorably with any of a similar nature outside the Capital
Cities.
The purchase of the premises as above referred to now makes unnecessary
the proposed gift by the Council to the Soldiers of the block
of ground in Albert Street, between Barkly Street and Paisley
Street.
CITIZENS' MEMORIAL STATUE.
As the Committee of the Soldiers" Memorial Fund had received
subscriptions on condition that a Citizens'
Memorial Statue would be erected as well as a Hall provided
for the Diggers, it was unanimously agreed by the Trustees and
the Executive of the Fund to earmark the sum of at least £350
for the purpose. This added to the promised donation of £250
by the Municipality, with other private donations expected, will
enable the Committee to have in hand at least the sum of £750
to provide a statue.
Designs have been invited for such a Statue erected at the Footscray
Park, at a cost of £750, and these are now being considered
by the Trustees and Executive.
(Page 12)
WAR TROPHY.
A Conference of Mayors of Municipalities was held on the 18th
March, 1921, when it was decided to allot amongst the Municipalities
a number of War Trophies consisting of Field Guns, Trench Mortars,
and Machine Guns.
In accordance with the decision of this Conference, Footscray
was awarded a Trench Mortar. This Trench Mortar is No. 3839;
it was captured by the 23rd Battalion, A.I.F., in the Australian
advance east of Cappy, in France, on August 28th, 1918, during
the great final offensive on the Western Front.
The Council were appointed Trustees for the safe custody of the
Trophy. It was received at Footscray on the 29th July, 1921.
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