Private Bill Rawlings was a Gunditjmara man born at the Framlingham Mission Station in Western Victoria. He enlisted in March 1916 and served with the 29th Australian Infantry Battalion in France. He was awarded the Military Medal for showing ‘irresistible dash and courage’ in assaulting a German communication trench during heavy fighting along the Morlancourt Ridge in July 1918.
He was killed in action, aged 27, on 9 August 1918 and is buried near his close friend and fellow Military Medal recipient, Harry Thorpe.
Private William Reginald Rawlings and family c 1916
photographer unknown
REPRODUCED COURTESY OF THE KOORIE HERITAGE TRUST AND AUNTY PATRICIA CLARKE
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Herbert Murray
Gunditjmara man, Sapper Herbert Murray (front centre) is pictured with members of the 3rd Tunnelling Company, or ‘earwiggers’ as tunnellers were known.
George Terrick
Private George Terrick, a Taungurung man from the Coranderrk Aboriginal Mission Station near Healesville, Victoria, enlisted in the 14th Australian Infantry Battalion in January 1916
Aunty Dot Peters' wreath
The gum leaf wreath artwork by Nina Kelabora is inspired by the late Aunty Dot Peters AM, who laid a gum leaf wreath at the Shrine each year.
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