Post by anthony on Apr 7, 2012 2:24:50 GMT
Statue honour for Hamilton's VC hero
By Bonnie Ziegeler, The Warrnambool Standard, 13 Feb 2012
HAMILTON'S sole Victoria Cross (VC) recipient will be honoured with a new memorial. The town's RSL sub-branch is set to build a statue in memory of former resident Edward "Ted" Kenna after receiving a $25,000 state government grant. President John Lowcock said Mr Kenna, who was awarded the VC for his gallantry during World War II and passed away in 2009, was a well-respected veteran across the globe. "What we as a branch and his family thought we should do was something to remember Ted," he said. "He's a unique person, he was the only VC winner here. "Ted corresponds with people all over the world. "Not only will the statue honour him, we'll use it as a symbol to remember others. "It is important to understand that we in this country owe the freedom we have to the sacrifices of serving men and women. "We are, as they say, born in the lucky country."
The bronze, two-metre-tall replica of Mr Kenna wearing his summer uniform and medals and standing at ease is projected to cost $110,000. Mr Lowcock said it would be a prominent new landmark to draw people to Hamilton. "It will be a good attraction but it needs to be done well," Mr Lowcock said. "There is some discussion where it will end up. "It needs to be in an area that has the most people passing by." Peter Corlett, internationally-renowned sculptor of the Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop memorial on St Kilda Road, is lined up to build Mr Kenna's statue from March. "We're hoping it will be ready for unveiling by Remembrance Day 2012," Mr Lowcock said. Hamilton's RSL was among 18 Victorian veterans' organisations named to share in more than $200,000 to fund various commemorative and educational programs.
By Bonnie Ziegeler, The Warrnambool Standard, 13 Feb 2012
HAMILTON'S sole Victoria Cross (VC) recipient will be honoured with a new memorial. The town's RSL sub-branch is set to build a statue in memory of former resident Edward "Ted" Kenna after receiving a $25,000 state government grant. President John Lowcock said Mr Kenna, who was awarded the VC for his gallantry during World War II and passed away in 2009, was a well-respected veteran across the globe. "What we as a branch and his family thought we should do was something to remember Ted," he said. "He's a unique person, he was the only VC winner here. "Ted corresponds with people all over the world. "Not only will the statue honour him, we'll use it as a symbol to remember others. "It is important to understand that we in this country owe the freedom we have to the sacrifices of serving men and women. "We are, as they say, born in the lucky country."
The bronze, two-metre-tall replica of Mr Kenna wearing his summer uniform and medals and standing at ease is projected to cost $110,000. Mr Lowcock said it would be a prominent new landmark to draw people to Hamilton. "It will be a good attraction but it needs to be done well," Mr Lowcock said. "There is some discussion where it will end up. "It needs to be in an area that has the most people passing by." Peter Corlett, internationally-renowned sculptor of the Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop memorial on St Kilda Road, is lined up to build Mr Kenna's statue from March. "We're hoping it will be ready for unveiling by Remembrance Day 2012," Mr Lowcock said. Hamilton's RSL was among 18 Victorian veterans' organisations named to share in more than $200,000 to fund various commemorative and educational programs.