A significant ceremony took place at Sunday’s Worship Service at St James Memorial Anglican Church, where the community gathered to witness the blessing of the Jarrahmond State School Roll of Honor.
The service was led by the Bishop of Gippsland Richard Treloar, who delivered a heartfelt blessing over the memorial, honouring the sacrifices and contributions of the Jarrahmond school community during WWI.
The Roll of Honor, which dates back to the years 1914 to 1919, had been a fixture at Jarrahmond State School until the school’s closure in 1949.
For decades, it was safeguarded by the Orbost RSL Sub Branch.
However, in a recent decision made by the Jarrahmond Landcare Group, the Roll of Honor found a new home at St James Memorial Anglican Church, where it now hangs alongside another memorial board commemorating soldiers from the Orbost district who served in the Great War.
The service was particularly poignant for descendants of the soldiers listed on the Roll of Honor.
Among those in attendance were Jenny Heyne, Cindy Robinson and Denise Lynn, all of whom had family members who attended the Jarrahmond school and served in WWI.
Their presence added a deeply personal touch to the ceremony, as they paid tribute to their ancestors who fought bravely in the war.
Following the blessing, attendees were invited to a morning tea provided by the church community.
The gathering offered a chance for reflection and conversation, as people shared stories and memories of the past, fostering a sense of unity and shared history.
The event was well-attended with many from the Jarrahmond Landcare Group showing their respect and support.
As the morning came to a close, there was a palpable sense of pride and reverence among those present, united by a common bond of remembrance.
The relocation of the Jarrahmond State School Roll of Honor to St James Memorial Anglican Church marks a new chapter in the community’s ongoing commitment to preserving the memory of those who served in WWI.
The Roll of Honor will now stand as a permanent tribute, ensuring that the legacy of the Jarrahmond school’s contributions to the war effort will continue to be honoured for generations to come and have a true pride of place upon the wall.
Jenny Heyne, Cindy Robinson and Denise Lynn, all of whom had family members who attended the Jarrahmond State School and served in WWI. They are pictured in front of the Jarrahmond State School Roll of Honor, which was blessed at last Sunday’s Worship Service at St James Memorial Anglican Church.
Orbost Sub – Branch RSL member, Dick Roebuck alongside Rev. Bevil Lunson.
