New look for war memorial

A PROMINENT Dandenong war memorial will flaunt its new upgrades at the city’s Remembrance Day service this week.
Greater Dandenong Council, the Restoring Community War Memorials Grants Program and the Federal Government pitched in to upgrade the Pillars of Freedom War Memorial in central Dandenong this year.
Greater Dandenong Living Treasure and Dandenong RSL member Bruce Patchell was instrumental in raising support for the construction of the Pillars of Freedom in 1995.
During the restoration project, Mr Patchell kept a close eye on the progress of the works and provided enthusiastic encouragement to the workers.
The cenotaph at the memorial was formerly located in the centre median of Lonsdale Street outside the Dandenong Town Hall.
It was relocated to the Palm Plaza, and Mr Patchell led the push for a much more significant memorial to be constructed, resulting in the new Pillars of Freedom.
The work involved installing handrails with downlights to assist people in accessing the space on commemorative occasions, and replacing the bluestone paving and steps on the deck of the memorial.
All works have been timed to be completed by Remembrance Day this month.