The first of many grants to commemorate the centenary of ANZAC in our local Casey electorate has been approved by the Federal Government after recommendations from our local ANZAC Centenary committee, says Federal Member for Casey, Tony Smith. “A grant of $5,200 has been approved to help provide interpretative signage and a plaque at the site of a large Militia Camp at Lilydale and the site of a mock battle at Coldstream. The unveiling ceremonies surrounding these will also help mark the start of the important centenary commemorations and raise awareness of an extraordinary episode in our local history”. “The site, where the popular Lillydale Lake is today, hosted a week long ‘Camp of Instruction’ for 3000 soldiers of the 13th Infantry Brigade between 7-14 February, 1914 – some six months before the beginning of WWI”. “Their training included company and battalion drills, musketry practice and a mock battle at…

I was please to attend the Yarra Glen and District Men’s Shed Coffee Morning on Wednesday to present an Australian flag to President George Miller and members. It was great to see so many attending the first coffee morning in the recently opened shed. For further information, including how to join as a member, visit www.yarraglen.com/mensshed