To say 2021 has been a rollercoaster ride is an understatement and much of it has been about learning to readjust and reassess. It began well, appreciating new freedoms after enduring months of lockdowns, restrictions and uncertainty in 2020, but hopes soon faded as the year progressed and on top of that we had to weather storms and long moments of power outages.
The local RSL sub-branches were greatly affected by restrictions this year, especially in regard to the limitations on their appeal sales and commemorative services. Challenged by the requirements needed to host their annual Dawn Service, the Mt Evelyn RSL looked at other mediums this year and filmed a service that was broadcast to the general public on the day.
Exciting though was the unveiling of the reconstructed ‘Digger’ statue on the Lilydale War Memorial, the Roger Boness memorial at Mt Evelyn and the creation of the magnificent Seville War Memorial at the Seville Water Play Park. On November 11th the Seville community held their first Remembrance Day service there – make sure you visit this extraordinary memorial this Summer, you will be impressed and moved by the personal stories it tells.
Like many, while I was locked down I made sure to support my local businesses and it was the coffees I got each morning from the fellows at Passchendaele Café in Mt Evelyn that kept me going. However, I did use my time in lockdown to complete three local history books – a history of the Lilydale RSL, 125 Stories for 125 Years for Mt Lilydale Mercy College and Home Front – The Impact of the First World War on the Shire of Lillydale. A busy year full of challenges but still a productive one.
My thanks also to our retiring local federal member, the Hon Tony Smith MP, for all his support during his time as the member for Casey for local groups and projects. He leaves behind big shoes to fill.
