RSL memorial garden’s official opening on Friday

Moama RSL sub-branch president Ken Jones said the garden, which has been “a few years” in the making, with COVID setbacks for the past two years, has been created as a refuge for servicemen and women — and their families — who live in and around the twin towns.

Mr Jones said Major William ‘Yank’ Akell, one of the heroes of the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam, will perform the dedication.

The memorial garden has also included several significant pieces of military history, from an armoured personnel carrier to artillery, machine gun and pieces from a Catalina flying boat and training aircraft.

Mr Jones said it is the culmination of a lot of work by RSL sub-branch members for several years and the end result is something of which “they and the twin towns should be proud”.

“This garden will resonate with people who have served, and their families, and we invite everyone in the local communities — both sides of the river — to join us at 2pm on Friday for the dedication and to join us for afternoon tea following the formalities,” Mr Jones said.