Hi. We are the RSL sub branch in Margaret River.

This is about forgetting. We all do it.

Sometimes it doesn’t seem to matter much; the name you were trying to recall pops into your mind at the oddest moment. You get a new password. Your partner reminds you of important dates.

But then there is the other kind of forgetfulness. This kind sometimes matters a lot. The kind of forgetting that comes from being part of a busy world, today overwhelming past events; no time to reflect, to consider, to respect. That’s the kind of forgetting we struggle against, because it’s often about the important stuff. Things that we simply can’t seem to find the time for. This fundraiser attempts to do something about it.

When local woman Pauline researched historical records of the Margaret River Cemetery and Cowaramup Niche Wall, she discovered 315 men and women who served their country in wartime. One time members of the Margaret River Community who served the nation, laid to rest amongst us. Among that number were twenty graves that stood out.

What made those twenty graves noteworthy was that in the company of headstones, plaques, flowers and expressions of love and loss… they had nothing. Just a simple mound of dirt. Nothing to indicate that they ever existed. Only an entry in the cemetery records to show who was there.

When the RSL Sub Branch heard the news it brought a sense of regret. Surely we are better than that!

The news of these unmarked graves became the catalyst to mark the twenty graves with a plaque; an appropriate recognition from our community. We haven’t asked the government for funds (and we won’t). We are asking our community to not be forgetful. Let this be an opportunity to remember and respect those who came before us and who served our country.

LEST WE FORGET