Wollondilly will mark the Centenary of Armistice with the help of two Federal grants to upgrade a memorial walkway and honour roll and for the purchase of a display cabinet and memorial plaques.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said this Sunday 11 November was an opportunity to stop and honour the fallen and remember those who have served and are serving.

“One hundred years ago on 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare,” Mr Taylor said.

“In those four years of war, more than 330,000 Australians served overseas and more than 60,000 of them died.

“The war came at a devastating cost to our country, not the least because of our small population.”

Mr Taylor said Picton-Thirlmere-Bargo RSL sub branch had been successful in securing a grant of $6,057 to upgrade the ‘Remembrance of Service’ memorial walkway outside the sub-branch hall.

Further plaques will be installed to remember those who have served, along with a panel representing the Centenary of Armistice, which will feature a picture of Lieutenant William Albert Robertson from Lakesland, who enlisted on 25th February 1915.

Lt Robertson’s granddaughter Jenny Lansdown said: “I feel privileged that this true hero will be honoured and always remembered in the Remembrance of Service walkway. He was such a brave man who I am so proud of. He was the first President of Thirlmere RSL and to have this memorial in Thirlmere, so close to his hometown of Lakesland, is a fantastic tribute,” Ms Lansdown said.

The Oaks Historical Society was also successful in receiving an Armistice Centenary grant of $2,871 to restore a WW1 honour roll and purchase a display cabinet to extend a current exhibition.

Oaks Historical Society secretary Sue Davis said: “We much appreciate the support provided by the Federal Government and the interest shown in our facility by Angus Taylor MP.”

A commemorative service will be held at the Wollondilly Heritage Museum this Sunday from 2pm involving a dramatic performance, based on letters and diaries written by local servicemen and their families during WW1, as well as a performance of WW1 songs by Picton Harmony.

Caption: Angus Taylor with members of The Oaks Historical Society at the Wollondilly Heritage Centre where a Federal grant to mark the Centenary of Armistice will help restore a WW1 honour roll.