A special service was held at Finley War Memorial Park on Saturday to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day, and the celebration of 100 years since the installation of the Memorial Obelisk.
Finley RSL Sub-branch president Jeff Ward welcomed those who had gathered to pay respect to those who had fought in Vietnam, as well as other areas of conflict, and to all past and present members of our defence forces.
Father Paul Lu led the prayer and blessing which was followed by guest speakers Jim White and Ian Mason.
Jim, himself a Vietnam Veteran, told the story of what Australian soldiers - including those from Finley and surrounding areas - gave in the line of duty during what was considered by some to be a controversial war at the time.
Many who were so young when confronted with the horrors they encountered found it difficult to fit back into society when returning home.
Families of veterans were also impacted by their service and continue to need the support of their communities today.
Mr Mason, whose grandfather Raymond Thomas Mason has his name on the obelisk, told of how the memorial was built to commemorate the young men of the Finley district who served in World War I.
The unveiling was performed by Colonel William McKenzie MC of the late 1st Infantry Brigade AIF on May 24, 1923.
Ian went on to tell how his grandfather moved to Finley from Whittlesea in 1911, where he started farming, before enlisting in Melbourne on April 27, 1918.
He embarked at Melbourne on the Barambah on August 31, 1918, and disembarked in London on November 14, 1918, three days after the signing of the Armistice.
He then became involved in assisting with the demobilisation of the AIF and those who had seen action to return home.
Ray returned to Australia on the Cape Verde and was discharged from the AIF on March 20, 1920, almost two years after enlisting.
He went on to live a full and productive life, unlike some, including Parick William Finley Dobinson.
Mr Mason went on to tell how Dobinson was born in Finley in 1893 and was the first to enlist from Finley on November 16, 1914.
He landed at Anzac Cove on April 25, 1915 and, sadly, was the first soldier from Finley to die when killed in action on May 6, 1915.
“My personal memories are, first as a young child proudly watching my Pop march tall and straight on Anzac Day with his comrades with names like Malone, Schoollar, McAllister, Kelly, Boyd, Jones, Magill, Simpson, Tongs, Pyle and many more,” Mr Mason said.
“Also, I was proud to be able to join the marches with my school. And, lately, to attend the dawn service with my son and daughter.”
Mr Mason acknowledged that he owes thanks to Graeme Hosken for help in the book Finley and the Great War.
At the conclusion of the service at the Memorial Park, Mr Ward invited the veterans, their families and members of the community to join him at the Finley RS Club for light refreshments.
The celebrations continued with a luncheon at the club with guest speaker Norm McAllister telling of his family’s involvement with the fundraising for and installation of the obelisk.
Charles McAllister was largely responsible.