Patriotism and Nationalism at Emerald

This is an interesting article that encapsulates some of the underlying philosophies that the Great War brought to the fore. Clearly everyone mentioned here is patriotic, but some are more nationalistic than others and believe that an Honor Roll should only be made by a person of British birth or naturalisation. At this time all people who were Australian born were considered to be British subjects. I wonder who the 'local gentleman' was who was the first choice to manufacture the Honor Board?

Camberwell & Hawthorn Advertiser  December 15, 1916 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153610650

HONOR ROLL AT EMERALD

A Peculiar position has arisen in connection with the erection of a roll of honor at Emerald. At a meeting of the committee appointed by the subscribers held recently, Cr. Butcher Presiding, a motion was proposed that the board be made by British workmanship throughout. An amendment was carried by five votes to two, however, that the work be left in the hands of a local gentleman, who, it was alleged, was neither of British birth nor naturalization. This action caused considerable dissent in the township, with the result that the committee resigned in a body.  A meeting of the subscribers was then held, between 30 and 40 attending, when, after explanations, a new committee of nine was formed. Four of the old committee would not allow themselves to be nominated. Messrs Ferres, Stewart, Morgan, M'Gibbon, A. Nobelius and Davey and Mrs Mawlan were appointed. The Committee met subsequently and appointed Cr Ferres chairman and Mr M'Gibbon secretary. It was resolved that steps be taken to have the board made solely by British manufacture. A sum of about £25 is in hand for the purpose.

Who are these people mentioned in the article? Cr Butcher was Thomas William butcher, listed in the Electoral Roll as a Land Agent and he was a Emerald Riding Ward Councillor of the Shire of Fern Tree Gully from 1914 to 1928. Cr Ferres was Robert Ferres, whose occupation is listed as 'Gentleman' he was a Shire Councillor from 1915 to 1917. I don't know specifically who Mr Stewart was; Mr Morgan may have been Albert Morgan, a baker; Mr M'Gibbon was John Barker McGibbon, State School teacher; A. Nobelius was Archie Victor Nobelius, nurseryman, son of the founder of the Gembrook Nurseries, Carl Axel Nobelius and his wife Emily Brightwell;  Mr Davey may be George Davey, an orchardist. As for Mrs Mawlan, I believe that this is Margaret Ann Mowlan listed in the Electoral Rolls at Emerald in 1916 and 1917, her occupation was 'home duties' 

Celebrating the Armistice at Emerald in 1918

In this third post looking at how people in this region celebrated the end of the Great War in 1918, we will see how the townsfolk of Emerald marked the occasion. The following article is from the Camberwell and Hawthorn Advertiser of November 22, 1918. The article is on Trove and you can read it here and I have transcribed it, below.  To see how Nar Nar Goon, celebrated the Armistice, click here. To see how the Cranbourne Shire celebrated the Armistice, click here.

Camberwell and Hawthorn Advertiser  November 22, 1918

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153117290

CELEBRATIONS AT EMERALD

At Emerald on Wednesday evening, November 13, a large number of the residents assembled in the local hall to celebrate the recent signing of the armistice. The gathering was most enthusiastic, and a programme of speeches and patriotic songs was gone through. The meeting opened with the doxology and the National Anthem. Messrs. Fairley and Dombrain spoke to the motion: -  'That this assemblage of Emerald citizens and loyal subjects of the British empire give heartfelt thanks to Almighty God for our deliverance from the enemy, and do express our great joy and delight at the success of the Allies and celebration of peace.' This was carried with acclamation.

Cr. Butcher moved, and Mr. Wilson seconded the following motion: -  'That we proclaim our loyalty to the King.' Further resolutions were also carried as follow: -  On the motion of Cr. Nobelius and Mr. McGibbon - 'That we extend our heartiest congratulations to the army and navy' ; on the motion of Messrs. Simpson and Hall - 'That we express our deepest sympathy with those who have lost relatives in this Great War' ; on the motion of Messrs McGibbon and Pascoe - 'That the best thanks of the meeting be tendered to the ladies of the Emerald Red Cross.'

In speaking to a motion of thanks to he chairman (Cr. Butcher), Cr. Nobelius impressed on the audience the desirability of bearing in mind our obligation to the men at the Front, and of making some fitting recognition of their services when the boys come home. The meeting closed with the National Anthem and cheers for the King.

I was surprised to find an article on Emerald  in the Camberwll and Hawthorn Advertiser, but Emerald was part of the Shire of Fern Tree Gully at the time, so it was more closely connected to the eastern suburbs.

This post looks at how Emerald celebrated the end of the Great War. To see how Nar Nar Goon, celebrated the Armistice, click here. To see how the Cranbourne Shire celebrated the Armistice, click here.

Emerald ANZAC walk and Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour plaques

You are invited to attend these two events that honour the Great War soldiers from the Emerald Community and the Beaconsfield Community. All welcome.

March 11, 2015 at 11.30am

Emerald ANZAC Walk and ANZAC Place

The Governor General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, will  officially open the Emerald ANZAC Walk and ANZAC Place.

The Walk honours the sacrifice of the 32 soldiers, from Emerald, who enlisted in the Great War and did not return.

The organisers have put together a visual extravaganza of returning Emerald station to the 1915 era. Puffing Billy’s oldest train and passenger carriages along with a timber transporting carriage, a big band supplied by HMAS Cerberus, soldiers dressed in WW1 uniforms re-enacting returning from the War, children dressed in period costumes, and a smattering of Veteran cars help create this event. Add to this the Governor General arriving on the train with soldiers and school children and you will be witnessing a  spectacular event. All welcome.

More information: Visit the Emerald RSL website www.emeraldrsl.com.au

Friday, March 13 2015 at 10.00am

Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour Plaques

Mr Daniel Mulino MP will officially open the Plaques at  Beaconsfield Park, corner of Old Princes Highway and Emerald Road and afterwards for morning tea at the Beaconsfield Tennis Club, Perc Allison Reserve, Beaconsfield - Emerald Rd.
(Please park in Perc Allison Reserve/Tennis club car park)

The plaques honour the memory of the 65 servicemen from Beaconsfield and district who served in the Great War. These soldiers originally had  a plaque under a tree in the Beaconsfield -Berwick Avenue of Honour, but the original plaques have since been removed.

The ceremony will also include the launch of the booklet/digital Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour Servicemen remembered by Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot.