The heritage-listed Malmsbury War Memorial gates will be restored to their former glory.
Friends of the Malmsbury Gardens and Environs has secured a $27,492 grant from the state government’s Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour 2024-25 program.
The memorial was built in 1922 as a tribute to the “brave men who enlisted in the Great War 1914-1918”.
Works will include soldier names re-gilded, old paint and rust removed, stone/marble cleaned and works on the memorial railings and gate.
Friends of the Malmsbury Gardens and Environs secretary Paula Needham said the wrought iron gate would be stripped back and painted its original 1920s colours.
“It’s going to look quite different,” she said. “It’s pretty depressing seeing something slowly rust away.”
“A lot of people have been concerned about the gates and want to see them restored. There are still families in the area with names on the plate and every Anzac Day there are floral tributes left.
“It’s very timely we’ve got this funding now – the metal is still in pretty good shape.”
Friends of the Malmsbury Gardens and Environs is now in the process of applying to Heritage Victoria for a permit.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas congratulated the Friends of the Malmsbury Gardens and Environs on their successful grant.
“By preserving memorials and upgrading veteran facilities, we’re helping future generations understand the legacy
of service,” she said.
“These projects make sure the stories of our veterans live on, not just in memory, but in every community they helped shape.”
The restoration works must be done on site and will be dependent on the weather but completion is expected by the end of the year.
