ANZAC CENTENARY PLAQUE UNVEILING – LILLYDALE LAKE

The unveiling of a memorial plaque and a storyboard signage to commemorate the Centenary of the Monash Militia Camp held at Lilydale,[in the location of the current Lillydale Lake]   in February 1914.  The plaque unveiling will be by Michael Bennett the great grandson of Sir John Monash, in front of dignitaries and military personnel.

The Rotary Club of Lilydale will be organising the afternoon tea following the event ceremonies at the Community Rooms at the Lillydale Lake.

Details of the Militia Camp …..

CENTENARY OF THE MONASH MILITIA CAMP AT LILYDALE

The Monash Camp was a significant event in the Yarra Valley’s history and in the pre-war career of Sir John Monash. It involved 2500 troops camping where the Lilydale Lake is today for a camp of instruction in February 1914, just before the start of the First World War. A mock battle was held on Mt Mary (just near Coombe Cottage).

Colonel John Monash [later Major-General Sir John Monash] & 3000 soldiers descended on Lilydale and had a week long “Camp of Instruction”  where the Lillydale Lake is today.

To mark the Centenary of this event a memorial plaque and interpretative storyboard signage will be unveiled at the Lillydale Lake.

The memorial plaque will be unveiled by Michael Bennett, great grandson of Sir John Monash.

Also on the day there will be special guest speakers, a military band, the Australian Great War Association and a fly over of a WW1  bi-plane.

A book on the history of the camp will also be launched after the ceremony.

The event will include:

* a ceremony to commemorate the event

* unveiling of a plaque by Michael Bennett, great grandson of Sir John Monash

* Unveiling of a storyboard sign

* guest speakers

* military band

* Australian Great War Association

* A fly over of a bi-plane

* Launch of a book on the history of the camp entitled – ‘Monash’s Militia Camp’

The ANZAC Centenary Committee is organising 2 major events, one at the Lilydale Lake to unveil a plaque to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the camp at Lilydale Lake on Sunday February 9th and the other event with unveiling of a memorial plaque at Mount Mary near Coldstream [Service road between Coombe Cottage and St Hubert’s Winery] on Thursday 13th of February 2014 at 11:00am.

Lilydale Troop Camp

From

The Ballarat Courier Monday 9th February 1914 Daily Edition”

“At Lilydale the troops comprising the 13th Infantry Brigade, under Col Monash began the annual period continuous training, which extends over eight days. The men entriained at various centres, and were conveyed to Lilydale by special trains. Thu weather was showery for practically the whole of the morning, but cleared up slightly this afternoon. The streets of the town were decorated with bunting in honer of the occasion, and many people watched the troops on their march to camp, which is situated between the hills, about half a mile south of Lilydale. Altogether about 2500 men are expected to be under canvas for the week. The Y.M.C.A. field service department has a marquee on the site, equipped with the usual conveniences. This camp will be one of the most important infantry gatherings for the year, and will be visited next week by Sir lan Hamilton.”