FOR the first time tomorrow, community members in Kanmantoo, in the Adelaide Hills, will mark Anzac Day by gathering at the town's new memorial for a dawn service.
For the past three years, the Kanmantoo Grounds Committee has been working to construct a local memorial, with it finished in recent weeks, in time for Anzac Day.
Committee chair Marilyn Deutrom said there had been an honour board on display in the local town hall, but they had wanted something more permanent to remember those who served.
The memorial has 63 names from the Boer War, World War I and World War II, including a WWI nurse, all from the local area.
Committee member Elain McInnes said they had tried tracing family members for all those named, but were still searching for information on some.
"A lot were in Kanmantoo because of the mining, and then moved on," she said.
This also marks the first service in the town.
Ms Deutrom said until now, those locals wishing to attend a service travelled to Nairne, or even Mount Barker.
The memorial was constructed with Kanmantoo bluestone, donated by Hanson Industry, to match in with the hall next door.
Rosemary bushes, donated and planted by Bunnings Mount Barker, surround the memorial.
The dawn service was followed by a gunfire breakfast.
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
