Stroud’s cenotaph has received a spruce-up for this year’s Anzac Day service.
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And the nearby rotunda, which was used for the first time at last year’s service, has also been completed.
The exercise has been led by John Bowen and Neil Skeggs with help from Great Lakes councillor Karen Hutchinson.
Mr Bowen said the rotunda came about following council moving their offices into the nearby RSL hall.
“They were cutting costs but I was so against it right from the beginning,” he said.
“It was our hall and how dare they take it off us. There was a lot of angst from a lot of people.
“But I’ve changed my mind and am happy to admit I am pleased with the final outcome.
“I could see the benefits in negotiating something else for us and that is where the rotunda came about.
“It was erected just before last year’s Anzac Day service but since then trees have been planted nearby, a fence has been erected around the posts and electricity has been connected.
“It looks great.”
The cenotaph has also received a facelift with new tiling around the base, new plaque and a new rising sun.
“We received some funding from the feds [federal government] as each electorate was given money to upgrade their memorials for the centenary next year.
“We also received money from Great Lakes Council’s community grants and community donations.
“We are also going to have replicas made of the WW1 plaques currently at the showground and these will be erected on a new obelisk which will be built next to the current one.”
After a break of nearly 20 years, Anzac Day services were started again by the Dungog-Stroud National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (NASHOS) 10 years ago.
Following the service at the war graves at Dungog cemetery, a bus brings people members from Dungog to Stroud for their 8am service.
“People will start assembling near the clock at the corner of Cowper Street and Memorial Avenue at 8am and march down to the cenotaph for the service,” Mr Bowen said.
“Each year it has grown and now a very large crowd comes to watch and participate.
“People are invited to bring a chair and come and sit around the rotunda where the Stroud Choir will be.
“Booral Public School will be doing the morning tea.”
Mr Bowen, who did five years national service, was one of the first men in Stroud to be enlisted in the Army Reserve.
He is very passionate about Stroud, Anzac Day and all it stands for.
“I am 81 now and will probably fall off my perch soon and I just hope there is someone to take over,” he said.
