NILMA // THE NILMA Primary School honour board, which acknowledges those from the school who fought in the first world war, was rededicated at a school assembly on Monday.
Students had worked on researching the names on the honour board while it was being restored recently. Several excursions were also made to the Warragul Returned Services League to view displays and presentations made by the RSL members.
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Above: local politicians, school figures and Noel Tucker with the school’s wreath after the ceremony.
The RSL branch assisted in the restoration of the honour board which had been damaged by borers and dry rot, but with extensive damage the talents of a professional conservator were required.
The final restoration was carried out by the University of Melbourne with funding support from the state government.
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Warragul RSL president Noel Tucker assisted students in the presentation of poppies for each 40 soldiers on the roll, which were laid at the base of the board. The names of the eight soldiers who died at war were given special attention.
Above: students walking past the honour board following the rededication. Photos by William PJ Kulich.
Staff and students acknowledged a minute’s silence after the playing of the last post on the school bugle by Julie Reilly. The bugle was found during a music room clean up in 2009 with no history. The Warragul RSL has confirmed it is an original from the first world war period.
At the end of the ceremony students filed past the honour board, hanging in the main school building, to pay their respects.
Students also laid a wreath at the Warragul cenotaph on Remembrance Day.
