By KATH GANNAWAY
THE first of two story boards marking 100 years since then Colonel John Monash marched 3000 citizen soldiers into Lilydale was erected at Lillydale Lake on Sunday.
A militia camp was set up in the basin that is largely now Lillydale Lake as part of compulsory civilian military training for boys and young men between 12 and 26.
The combat training including battalion drills, musketry practice and a mock battle at Mount Mary near Coldstream which was aimed at training them to defend a developing Australia, should the need arise.
The troops arrived at Lilydale by train and were marched through the town to set up camp in conditions very much like those experienced by the people standing on the hilltop at Lillydale Lake on Sunday – extreme heat and blustery winds with fires burning to the east.
Brigadier (retired) Michael Phelps AM welcomed guests, members of the organising committee and members of the public, some of whom had connections going back to those who attended the camp.
Former Victorian Premier and chairman of the Victorian Anzac Centenary Committee Ted Baillieu, local historian and author of Monash’s Militia Camp Anthony McAleer, Casey MP Tony Smith and the great-grandson of Sir John Monash, Michael Bennett, each spoke of the event recognising it as an important part of both the district’s military history and an important and fascinating window into Australia’s pre-World War I history.
Mr Baillieu set the scene of the militia camp against the larger backdrop of the increasingly threatening situation in Europe saying Victoria was a peaceful and prosperous place at the time.
“The citizen soldiers, aged from 12 to 26 were no different form our cadets here today, and there were 3000 of them,” he said acknowledging the young Australian Air Force cadets who along with the Australian Great War Association formed the guard of honour.
Mt Evelyn RSL president Roger Boness said the history boards, the second of which will be launched at Coldstream on Thursday, and launch of the RSL’s second history book was an important part of the RSL’s role in preserving and recording local military heritage.
For more information visit the Facebook page Lilydale Militia Camp 1914.
