Our war heroes remembered in virtual tour

Updated November 7 2012 - 6:23am, first published November 8 2011 - 10:24am

REMEMBERING Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country should not be confined to one day of the year.That’s why the efforts of Bendigo Cemetery Trust Heritage Group members Bev Hanson and Greta Balsillie have to be warmly applauded.The two women have put in countless hours documenting the stories of Bendigo’s service men and women for a special event being held this weekend.On Sunday at the Bendigo District RSL, Ms Hanson and Ms Balsillie will present a “virtual tour” of selected war graves in Bendigo’s four largest cemeteries.While the tour will recognise the efforts of numerous Victoria Cross recipients, the ladies are also keen to showcase the stories of Bendigo’s everyday heroes – such as Michael Costelloe who lied about his age to enlist in World War I.He was just 17 when he went overseas to fight for his country.The war efforts of the Bendigo community in all of Australia’s overseas conflicts is a critical part of our local history.They say you can’t build a future with out looking at your past, and its thanks to the hard work of women such as Ms Hanson and Ms Balsillie that we can fully appreciate the journey of our ancestors.So make sure their hard work doesn’t go unrewarded and head along to the Bendigo RSL on Sunday at 2pm and hear about the men and women that fought for the freedom we enjoy today. – ELISE SNASHALL-WOODHAMS, reporter

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