Bellarine Landcare Group, in consultation with the Trustees, received a start-up grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs to put in a storyboard sign, a plaque, and seating.

Since then we have been working with the community to undertake landscaping and planting, and historical research of the site. Many people have come forward and generously offered their time, expertise and resources. 

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We are calling for locals who remember the hall to send us some anecdotes about the Hall in its heyday. We want to compile this history and perhaps add it to the site's Story Board.

Consistent with 'Our Community' theme, we are also asking for your ideas related to a chain saw carving of the cypress tree adjoining the site.

Thanks to the following people and groups for their work and commitment to this project:

  • Jeff Avery, landscaped the site with his bob-cat,
  • The Bellarine Police, led by Sgt Grant Langmaid, have put in numerous days, pruning the adjoining shelter belt, landscaping the site with sleepers, re-erecting the chain fencing (with the help of Graeme MacDonald and BLG members), spreading mulch, donating a ‘Lone Pine’ as well as helping with the historical research.
  • W M Buckle and Sons have donated a granite stone engraved with 57 names and installed it.
  • Phil Andrew (fencing) donated 2 cubic metres of concrete and erected the fencing
  • Wes McDonald repaired the boundary ring lock fence
  • Geelong Chain Mesh Fencing (Moolap) donated two steel posts.
  • Bunnings donated two cypress bollard posts, steel pins for 35 eco-weed mat rolls and a discount similar to trade on the weed mat and 14 other cypress bollards.
  • Wallington Rural gave us a trade discount Cash Card
  • Colin Cairns, Queenscliff RSL Treasurer, donated an Australian flag and has fixed the flag pole’s running gear.
  • Peter Smith customised two high tensile eye bolts (donated by Peter Smith Michael Beasley – Mannerim CFA) and a chain was mounted at the entrance gateway.
  • BLG members, OG Police and others, have run three fundraising sausage sizzles at Aldi (who donated the sausages and sauces), and we have made over $1000.
  • Community volunteers have turned up to 2 planting days – with more planned.
  • Bellarine Trees donated mulch
  • Tony Reilly donated clean fill.
  • St Leonards Men’s Shed will build the seating and picnic table.
  • The Clifton Springs Curlewis Curlewis Lions Club, has cooked working bee lunches working
  • Lynne Mason has cooked working bee lunches and spread mulch, laid weed mat and planted.
  • Bryan Marra (Queenscliff Historical Society) assisted and researched names, and confirmed Losses and Decorations.
  • Pam Jennings from the Drysdale Historical Society who researched the WW1 History of the site and came along to the BLG April Meeting to talk to the Group.
  • Keith Pettigrew, Leopold Lions provided helpful advice in the light of the Leopold memorial recently commissioned.
  • Many others and BLG members have done a great deal or work hours in support of this project
  • City of Greater Geelong for their recent grant of $8,800 towards the project
  • The Dept of Veterans Affairs for their start-up Grant of $5,391 for seating and signage

We have been pleased to meet characters who have had long association with the district, including Margaret Grant (Bolton), Hugh Thompson and John Bolton, relatives of Sloan ‘Scotty’ Bolton, following the exciting revelation that one our Returned Servicemen was Scotty Bolton, who was a Light Horseman who lead the charge of Beersheba 100 years ago, and returned from WW1 to farm at Mannerim with his family.

Through-out it all our BLG President, Jim Mason, has put in 100’s of hours, tirelessly working on all myriad of details pertaining to the project, and has kept the whole thing moving forward in the right direction.

Thank you to all for an ever-increasing network of Community support and interest in this project.

To keep up to date with events at the Memorial email, to send us your ideas for the cypress tree carving or your memories of the Hall, or to make a donation to this worthy cause, please contact the Bellarine Landcare Facilitator Sophie Small facilitator@bellarinelandcare.org.au or 0457 333 727

Finished Plaque