Outback Memorial

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 8 Nov 2014 23:47
The Sheepyard War Memorial and Museum
 
 
 
 
 
IMG_9237  IMG_9266  IMG_9238
 
Bear standing in front of Lake Bear-d on the sign. The lake. Memorial rock.
 
On the way out of ‘town’, we saw the flagpoles meaning we had arrived at the War Memorial. In the blazing heat, we walked past the rustic sign and not-expected-at-all, Lake Beard. To the right was a Memorial rock, we quite like these, having seen our first in the Queenstown Cemetery on South Island.
 
 
IMG_9239  IMG_9240  IMG_9244  IMG_9243
 
IMG_9245  IMG_9241  IMG_9248
 
A random selection, especially lie the bottom row.
 
 
IMG_9252  IMG_9253
 
Edna was on her own toward the Lake.
 
 
IMG_9265
 
Away to our left was a rather lovely setting.
 
 
IMG_9262
 
The Sheepyard and Community War Memorial consists of a series of ironstone boulders in a semi-circular design which commemorates Australian servicemen and women who have fought in conflicts in which Australia has been involved. In the centre of the memorial is a beefwood sign and there are a number of plaques on individual boulders which commemorate conflicts including a plaque dedicated to Aboriginal Servicemen in all wars. There are also plaques dedicated to individuals. The area is paved with mullock gravel and a tiled footpath and is bounded by spaced wooden hurdles. There are three flagpoles behind the memorial.
 
 
IMG_9255
 
IMG_9256  IMG_9259  IMG_9263
 
IMG_9258  IMG_9260  IMG_9261
 
IMG_9257
 
 So wonderful to see all the campaigns honoured.
 
 
IMG_9336
 
Just as we were about to head off a ‘ute’ roared up and parked up a pile of grit, two dogs got out, one to swim, one to run at high speed around the lake. The owner disembarked and introduced himself as Mac. The man from the picture in the pub. It had clearly been a ‘thirst making morning’. He did say he was the key holder to the museum and we could have a look around.
 
 
IMG_9280
 
Just inside the door was perhaps the most incredible picture we have ever seen when it comes to camaraderie. Bearing in mind the light on the glass was awful, Mac helped shade for me to get a close up.
 
 
IMG_9278
 
The soldier standing has actually left this life permanently. His mates insisted he be in the picture and quite simply ‘propped him up’ by supporting him and the chap behind holds two handfuls of shirt.
 
 
IMG_9281  IMG_9282
 
Lovely to see pictures of some of the veterans and the medals they so richly deserved. Just two examples, Sam on the left, Macs grandpa Mac on the right.
 
 
IMG_9284  IMG_9283  IMG_9285  IMG_9286
 
Army records belonging to Mac.
 
 
IMG_9293  IMG_9310
 
 We looked around the rest of the museum.
 
 
IMG_9298
 
IMG_9297
 
IMG_9299
 
The Kokoda Trail.
 
 
IMG_9296
 
Gallipoli – just look at the list of Anzacs who were awarded the V.C. at the bottom.
 
 
IMG_9313  IMG_9316  IMG_9315
 
A unique look at pictures of the Japanese surrender.
 
 
IMG_9327
 
IMG_9331  IMG_9332
 
IMG_9294
 
Unusual and interesting bits to look at.
 
 
IMG_9289  IMG_9291  IMG_9290
 
IMG_9322
 
Wonderful reminders.
 
 
IMG_9288
 
The Coo-ee Call. Then it was time for us to leave.
 
 
IMG_9339
 
A had to before we left.

 

 

 

ALL IN ALL IN A JEWEL IN A ROUGH OUTBACK

                     A SURPRISE FIND