General News
5 April, 2023
Century milestone for an icon
TERANG’S iconic war memorial will reach a century milestone next weekend.
TERANG’S iconic war memorial will reach a century milestone next weekend.
A small ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 15 at 2pm to mark exactly 100 years since the date of the monument’s memorial unveiling.
The 20-metre, grey granite Obelisk, among the tallest in Victoria, stands as one of the most iconic silhouettes in Terang.
It was erected in memory to those who served in the first World War, listing the names of those from Terang and district who served.
The names of those who perished in World War Two were later added, with further plaques added in the following decades as the purpose of the monument shifted to memorialise those who served through Australia’s major military conflicts.
Terang Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-branch president Terry Fidge invited members of the community to attend the ceremony.
“The monument was originally supplied by two families; the Mackinnon family from Boorcan and the Black family from Glenormiston,” he said.
“They paid to have the obelisk assembled, and we will be lucky enough to have both of those families represented here on April 15 through decedents of the families.
“Because the ceremony is on a Saturday and closing the Princes Highway through Terang is a major hurdle, we will just have a small service at 2pm followed by afternoon tea at the Terang RSL hall.
“We welcome all visitors who would like to come and celebrate this occasion.”
A small plaque denoting the milestone was placed on the outskirts of the monument, due to the obelisk itself being heritage listed.
“It has certainly stood the test of time,” Mr Fidge said.
The centenary ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 15 at 2pm at the Terang War Memorial on High Street, opposite the post office.