By PETER DOUGLAS
THE Yarra Valley’s sole Victoria Cross recipient, Captain George Ingram, will soon be honoured further with a memorial established at his hometown of Seville.
The planned memorial is to be constructed at the town’s popular water park area, with a proposed design, featuring an individual cenotaph, an eternal light and numerous glass panelling.
Although initially conceived by the Seville Township Group, the driving force of this project has grown to include many local business leaders.
This includes the Mount Evelyn and Lilydale RSLs, as well as the local Bendigo Bank branches and the Seville IGA.
Seville landscape designer Wayne De Klijn has been commissioned to design the memorial, an appointment that he described as a great honour.
“We’re aiming for the memorial to provide the canvass for specialist imagery of George Ingram and his story,” he said.
“It will also include the Seville roll call for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“The memorial will hopefully have an eternal light, which will be illuminated for visitors to view.”
Mr De Klijn said stage two of the project would be the ‘Gardens of Relaxation’.
“The memorial and gardens will be utilised for services, community gathering spaces and events,” he said.
“It will also link the water play park, which will continue to build on the tourist attraction.”
Captain Ingram attended the primary school at Seville.
After fighting in World War I, he returned to the town not long after he received his Victoria Cross at a special ceremony in Buckingham Palace.
The VC is the Commonwealth’s highest award for valour on the battlefield.
Mr De Kijln said organisers were still seeking contributions from businesses and the public.
“Contributions can be made by the public to the war memorial trust fund,” he said.
