By Casey Neill
A new book is exploring Springvale’s rich war heritage in time for Anzac Day.
Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) is giving free copies of Victorian War Heritage to schools in the area.
It will host a tour through graves in the Springvale War Cemetery and Springvale Botanical Cemetery from noon on Wednesday 25 April.
Author Dr Celestina Sagazio, SMCT historian and cultural heritage manager, said researching and writing the book was a fascinating process.
“There are so many moving stories of those who put their lives on the line in their individual efforts to protect Australia from attack,” she said.
“Learning about their individual heroics and struggles helps us to deepen our compassion and understanding of their sacrifices, and also enhances our admiration for their courage, resilience and commitment to public duty.”
The Veterans Council of the Department of Premier and Cabinet funded the project.
“Victorian citizens have been involved in wars since the nineteenth century and this booklet commemorates the war service of many individuals who participated in major conflicts,” Dr Sagazio said.
“These brave Victorians, both men and women, came from various religious and cultural backgrounds and from numerous sections of our military forces.
“Many died in conflict and others died later through injury or illness.
“Some perished on home soil and others struggled to survive back here in civilian life.”
The Springvale War Cemetery is Victoria’s official war cemetery and is within the Springvale Botanical Cemetery grounds.
Dr Sagazio said it had 612 burials and was the second largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Australia.
“This cemetery, together with the war graves located within SBC, comprise the most comprehensive war graves history in Victoria,” she said.
The meeting place for the Anzac Day tour is the cafe at the Clarence Reardon Centre.
Victorian War Heritage is available free of charge in hard copy from the Springvale Botanical Cemetery office and electronically from smct.org.au.
