Graham Chalker of the Harden RSL with the newly installed Lone Pine in Newson Park.
Harden’s War Memorial will be undergoing a number of changes, one which has included the installation of a ‘Lone Pine’ between the Cenotaph and the War Memorial Pool in Newson Park. Monday’s Remembrance Day Service will be the 101st anniversary of the guns falling silent at the end of WWl where those attending will be able to see the new pine, planted to remember the ANZAC spirit and the battle of Lone Pine. The pine tree came through from the Cootamundra RSL and is a direct descendant of the pine at Gallipoli. Graham said, “One of the soldiers sent some cones back to his mother and they have been growing them ever since. Coota had a few there and we scored one out of it.”
Graham has been looking after the pine for the last 18 months and has watched it grow over 50 cms during that time. He has been watering and fertilising the pine to get it to this stage. He said, “The original was on its own all the time which is why it was called the battle of Lone Pine.” Graham organises the Harden Remembrance Day Service and assists with fundraising as part of his role.
He said, “The high school will be coming down and we encourage anyone to attend. The school captains will be taking part in the ceremony. He said, “The Lone Pine is something which has always been significant in the ANZAC tradition.”
Graham served Australia himself during the Vietnam War. He was conscripted with his birthday falling on January 16 1948. He said, “I was a Nasho.” Graham’s service and the service of those who served our nation is a reminder for young people who enjoy the freedoms provided by those who went before us.
Graham said, “More recent conflicts will figure more prominently as we get more members from those people coming through and hopefully we can soon as some of us old fellas are getting on. It’s a bit hard to keep wielding the shovel.”
The service will form up at 10:50am at Newson Park on Monday. The Harden Service will be followed by a service at the Light Horse Memorial at Murrumburrah at Midday.
