LOCAL FIRST WORLD WAR HISTORY BOOK FUNDED BY AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

Federal Member for Banks, David Coleman MP, has announced that funding has been secured to publish the stories of the men of Oatley, Mortdale, Peakhurst and Penshurst who gave their lives in the First World War.

 

The book, researched and written by Bill Wright of Oatley, will be produced by the Oatley Heritage & Historical Society.

 

Under the Australian Government’s Local Anzac Centenary Grant programme, the Society will receive $5,000 to produce and distribute 2,000 copies to local schools, RSL sub-branches, libraries and other relevant organisations.

 

“Above all else, commemorating the Centenary of Anzac is about remembering the sacrifices our servicemen made that helped to make our nation what it is today,” Mr Coleman said.

 

“I am very pleased that we have been able to secure funding for this very special project.

 

“Servicemen from the St George area played an integral part in the First World War. Our community will now be able to see their pictures and read their personal stories”.

 

Mr Wright said that he was “thrilled” that the Government is supporting the project.

 

“Every year on Anzac Day thousands of people attend services and look at memorials, but they don’t really know who the men were, why they served or what their story was. This book is all about shining a light on their stories and honouring their service”.

 

It took Mr Wright, with assistance from members of the Oatley Heritage & Historical Society and Oatley RSL Sub-branch, five years to compile the stories of the 50 local servicemen featured in the book.