FAMILY, friends and community members gathered at the Cheshunt Hall in August for the replacement of one of the memorial trees originally planted in 1959 in memory of World War II nurses Sister Caroline Ennis and Sister Dorothy Gwendolyn 'Bud' Elmes.

Both nurses, who came from Cheshunt, were among the last 65 Australian nurses to evacuate from Singapore on February 12 in 1942 aboard the Vyner Brooke, which was later bombed by the Japanese near Banka Island, Indonesia.

Sister Ennis was one of 12 nurses who were lost at sea, while Sister Elmes was one of 21 massacred on the beach at Banka Island.

Margaret West, Caroline Ennis’s niece, had been very keen to arrange the original tree's replacement after it had begun to perish in recent years.

Michelle West said the replanting of the tree for her great "Aunty Carrie" was a very special occasion and she thanked those who had contributed to it, including Cheshunt Hall president, Lyn Lewis.

She said the Rural City of Wangaratta kindly provided the tree and prepared the hole for planting.

"Lyn organised the whole day including the speakers, and the Cheshunt Hall committee provided the use of the hall along with a magnificent morning tea," she said.

"Gaye Newton gave a very moving tribute to both Caroline Ennis and Dorothy Elmes, from their younger years, through their nursing training and army service, to their eventual, tragic deaths."

The tree was blessed by Cheshunt CFA member Pieter Zomerdijk, planted by Caroline Ennis’s nieces, Cheryl Ellis and Margaret West, with Michelle West - Caroline's great niece - reciting the nurse's ode from WWII.

Flowers were laid on the plaques of both nurses by two community members, and following the service - attended by about 40 people - everyone enjoyed morning tea in the hall.

A fundraising drive is currently being held by a group of dedicated locals to raise $27,000 to have two statues (busts) made in memory of Sister Caroline Ennis and Sister Dorothy Gwendolyn 'Bud' Elmes which will be placed at the cenotaph in Oxley.

Oxley was chosen as the site because at the time of WWII, Cheshunt was part of the Oxley Shire, and the women are named on the cenotaph in Oxley.

Among the members of the group driving the fundraising effort are former schoolteacher and Whitfield and Cheshunt resident Jan Vincent, author of ‘Back to Bangka’ Georgina Banks (the great niece of Sister Elmes), and Belinda Harrison from Edgars Books and News.

On Remembrance Day this year, Ms Banks will speak at the service at the Oxley cenotaph, and a book launch and fundraising event will be held the next day on Tuesday, November 12 at Wangaratta Library at 10.30am.

Between now and the end of November, Edgars is donating 20 per cent from sales of Georgina's book Back to Bangka to the cause, while donations to the project can also be made by making a deposit to the Bendigo Bank account named Honouring Our Oxley Shire WWII Nurses (BSB 633 000, Account 219384294, Reference donor's name).

For more information on the project or to hold a fundraising event, contact Jan Vincent via email to jan.vincent1@bigpond.com.

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King Valley in brief

King River fishing club event

KING River and District Fishing Club members and friends will fish the Ovens River at Pioneer Bridges on Sunday, September 15.

There will be a barbecue at 12.30pm with all welcome and more information available on their Facebook page.

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Sustainable King Valley AGM

SUSTAINABLE King Valley invites the community to its annual general meeting on Monday, September 16 at 6.30pm at the Whitfield Community Childcare building (next to the garage).

Come along if you'd like to get involved or hear more about what's going on, with new members warmly welcomed.

All committee positions will be declared open, with nominations welcomed, and reports of 2024 from the president, treasurer and the food hub will be presented.

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Edi Upper school's 150th anniversary

PAST students, teachers and friends of the Edi Upper Primary School are invited to celebrate its 150th anniversary when a morning tea is held on Friday, September 20 from 10.30am to 11.30am.

All are welcome to the celebration which will include a presentation on the school's history, with RSVP for catering purposes to edi.upper.ps@education.vic.gov.au or call 5729 3560.

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Moyhu Lions country market

THE Moyhu Lions country market returns to the Moyhu Lions Park for spring on Saturday, September 21 from 8am to 12pm.

There will be all the usual market stalls along with an antiques and collectables display at this month's market.

Bookings are open and interested stallholders are invited to contact Donna on 5729 7563.

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