Brimbank’s oldest and perhaps quaintest cottage will open its doors later this month in memory of Keilor’s bravest men and women.
Keilor Historical Society will use the annual Harrick’s Cottage open day, on March 21, to launch its book Keilor’s ANZAC Memory.
The oldest surviving parts of the cottage are believed to have been built in 1861-62.
The book enshrines the stories and sacrifices of 61 Keilor residents who served Australia in World War I, as does a DVD that will be launched the next day at a dinner at Overnewton Castle.
Society president Susan Jennison said the group had created “a legacy for these brave people”, helped by a $25,000 grant from the federal government. “It’s important we’re illustrating what it was like in a small country town when people enlisted and were sent away to unfamiliar countries,” Ms Jennison says.
“It’s not like now when you can get on the internet and get a picture. Their sense of geography was completely different.”
Fifty-nine Keilor soldiers and two nurses stepped up in wartime, and 11 of the soldiers never came home.
“We’ll also have exhibits showing the best stories about these men and women we’ve discovered by talking to their descendants,” Ms Jennison said.
The open day will start at noon at Harrick’s Cottage, Harrick Road, Keilor. Dinner on March 22 at Overnewton Castle costs $60. To book, phone 9331 6367.
