DIGGING in her Taralga district garden a few months ago Pam Kennedy couldn’t quite believe her eyes. There among the dirt was a star-shaped medal that time had worn away.
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Thanks to Mrs Kennedy’s donation and a Taralga Historical Society initiative, the passage of years has not diminished its story.
The 1914/15 Star was awarded to Michael Maher, who died from wounds sustained at Gallipoli on November 30 1915, aged 39. He was buried at the Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Gallipoli. Michael was the son of Martin and Mary Maher of ‘The Meadows,’ now owned by Pam and Colin Kennedy.
“The medal was obviously sent back to Taralga and could have been buried in the garden as a type of memorial,” Taralga Historical Society member Bob Blay explained.
The Star is just one of the exhibits in the Society’s War Museum, opened last Friday November 11. Members and other volunteers have worked tirelessly to establish the museum in two joined Nissen Huts donated by the Goulburn Workers Club several years ago. President Ken Fleming told a more than 200 strong crowd that it wouldn’t have happened without people’s generosity.
“Everyone gave up their time over winter and spring and came back time after time,” Mr Fleming said.
“One builder came for a day and stayed for a week.
“That’s what Taralga people are like; they all come together when something has to be done.”
Goulburn builder Ray Shiel gave up the entire winter to ensure the building was up to standard. The Society raised money through book sales, entry fees and other fundraising efforts, and Upper Lachlan Shire Council chipped in with a $500 donation.
Meantime, researchers beavered away, gathering Australian War Memorial and National Archives material on Taralga’s servicemen and women who fought in the Boer War and all subsequent conflicts.
The display includes about 460 photos and individual profiles on personnel, uniforms, medals and even pebbles from Gallipoli gathered by Robert Stephenson in 2004.
On Friday, Goulburn man and Vietnam War veteran Bill White donated a framed portrait and dedication of the ‘Taralga Eight,’ men who served and some of whom died in World War One.
The Goulburn Soldiers Club director is well known for his work framing service medals and photographs, honouring service personnel’s contribution. World War Two army veteran Cole Bradbury was given the honour of officially opening the museum’s doors, while Neil Croker dedicated a plaque marking the event.
Upper Lachlan Mayor John Shaw and Taralga RSL sub branch president Jim Beasley also spoke at the ceremony.
The Reverend Roberta Hamilton blessed the huts while Taralga Public School students acknowledged the land’s original custodians and led the national anthem.
