Kyabram Legacy confirmed its status as one of the nation’s most forward-thinking and innovative chapters of the iconic wartime charity with its tribute to Legacy Week at Kyabram P-12 College last week.
It was the 25th occasion that the Kyabram group had co-ordinated a Lone Pine ceremony at the school and, fittingly, the widow of the man behind the concept was in the audience to recognise a quarter-of-a-century-long partnership between the school and Legacy.
Alwyn Drysdale is the widow of ‘’Lone Pine’’ Bob Drysdale and was accompanied by daughter Janice and son Doug at the open air ceremony, with the cordoned off Aleppo pine towering above the rostrum from the construction site that is its interim home.
Due to the establishment of a new wellbeing and administration building, the pine tree, which is a direct descendent of the famous Gallipoli Lone Pine, was uprooted and re-planted to allow for the structure to be completed.
Lone pines were planted by Mr Drysdale at a variety of locations throughout the region more than 20 years ago and continue to attract the admiration of the wider community.
Every Kyabram legacy member acknowledged that if not for the generosity of “Lone Pine Bob”, Legacy Week in Kyabram would not be what it is today.
With a backdrop of three mounted Lighthorse men and women paying respects to World War I servicemen, Kyabram Legacy secretary Gavon Armstrong led proceedings, expertly planned by Kyabram P-12 Lone Pine Ceremony co-ordinator Janine Kreymborg and acting principal Marina Walsh.
“When I first met Mrs Walsh, I came away thinking this was going to be successful,” Mr Armstrong said.
Mrs Walsh said she appreciated the staff, students and guests for gathering in honour of Legacy Week and made special mention of Mrs Kreymborg for the work she had done preparing for the ceremony.
Last week was the 25th gathering at the site to celebrate the Lone Pine, which is a tribute to the solitary tree that stands on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, marking the site of the Battle of Lone Pine in August 1915.
Students in years 3 to 12 attended the ceremony, where Mr Armstrong explained the decision of the school and Legacy to ensure the future of the historic pine tree by having it relocated instead of removed.
The guest speaker was former college student Jordan Morrison, who graduated in 2017 and enlisted in the defence force before enrolling in a gap year program.
He underwent basic training at Kapooka in January 2018, before an initial three-month deployment through the Royal Australian Regiment to the School of Infantry.
He was then posted to Gallipoli barracks in Brisbane and was involved in providing bushfire and COVID-19 support.
Following the birth of his daughter in 2022, he was discharged.
Kyabram Legacy’s involvement in Legacy’s centenary celebrations will culminate with the organisation’s longest serving member, Graeme James, being involved in the September 23 relay at Shepparton with Legacy widow Isobel Attwood.