A much slower day today as we recovered from yesterday’s long journey. We took our time for breakfast and showers then had an early lunch before heading to Scottsdale, where we got groceries from Woolworths rather than shopping at the IGA but couldn’t find our raspberry and pear cake. Russ dislikes Woollies sultana cake and there is no Coles store anywhere in the district. He settled on Banana Cake instead. We also refuelled the vehicle.
At Scottsdale in the ANZAC Memorial Park there is another tree sculptured much in the same vein as at Legerwood. It does not name the artist but to my untutored eye it looks like another of Eddie Freeman’s work.
The main placard states the marble cenotaph is erected in honour of all prisoners of war, and asks that their suffering may never be forgotten, and in honour of all fallen comrades.
The lights at the cenotaph are in memory of Clarence Charles Heazlewood (called Jim) who was born on 19 January 1910, the 7th son of Arthur and Marion (nee Tulloch) of Hatherleigh Farm in Springfield, five kilometres south of Scottsdale.
Jim joined the Australian Infantry in Mackay, North Queensland, on 26 May 1940 and was killed in action at Elgazahalla in North Libya on 7 April 1941. He was buried at Elpiete, then re-buried at Acroma in the Cyrenaica War Cemetery in January 1953.
The land that the Memorial Park occupies was once owned by Jim’s grandfather, Thomas Diprose Heazlewood, who was one of the first pioneers in Scottsdale. The lights and plaque were donated by Jim’s niece, Bonnie.
The carved tree is in honour of all those who have served Australia in wartime and represents Australia’s involvement in World War 2 and Vietnam. Lest We Forget.
Each carving on the tree represents:
Soldier with the M60 machine gun is typical of an infantry soldier of Vietnam from 1962 – 1973.
Nurse – the important role that nurses played in all wars.
Sailor – the role played by the Navy in transporting troops and supplies, providing supporting fire for the armed forces and control of the ocean.
Pilot – the role of the air force in all wars.
Soldier – the vast role of the army in all wars.
Helicopter – a reminder of how warfare changed since World War 2 and Korea, and they were used extensively in Vietnam for transport of troops and supplies and providing valuable fire support.
Spitfire Aeroplane – fighter plane of World War 2.
Cannon – old weapons used for fighting wars.
Flag – our forces fought for flag and country.
After we got back from Scottsdale, we headed pout on a two-kilometre walk along the foreshore. The entire Foreshore Walk encompasses eleven kilometres of walking track which is broken up into four different sections, so you don’t have to do everything at once. It was a very pleasant stroll with information boards about Bridport’s History along the way.
Towards the end of the day the weather turned very grey, but it was not too cold, and we had rain overnight, so it was lovely to listen to it falling on the roof. A very nice drop for Tasmania who have recorded one of their driest autumns this year but are expecting a cold and wet winter. We have enjoyed the weather for our trip so can have no complaints at all.