| From the Shepparton News: Monday, July 14, 1919 Last Friday evening the Grahamvale School was crowded to its utmost capacity by the good folk of that settlement for the purpose of extending a welcome to seven of their returned soldiers. The men so honored were: Corp Gorey, Privates Gorey, Sutherland (two), Hick and Davis and Gunner Orchard. A very pleasant time was spent, the proceedings throughout being characterised by a general friendliness and an absence of formality that (as the representative of this journal can vouch) made even a stranger feel quite at home. The chair was taken by the Rev P.J. Edwards, but as that gentleman's arrival was somewhat delayed, the Rev R.A. Taylor, at the request of the committee, presided over the gathering pro tem. Both clergymen were in excellent form, and the breezy manner in which they carried out their duties added greatly to the success of the function. The school had been nicely decorated for the occasion, and the proceedings began in a very appropriate fashion by the singing of "Home Sweet Home" by seven young ladies. The Rev R.A. Taylor expressed his pleasure and surprise at seeing such a "bonzer crowd" as had assembled at Grahamvale that night. It showed fraternal feeling, and an appreciation of the soldiers, which were most commendable. The reverend gentleman went on to deliver a speech full of humor that set the audience simmering with laughter, with occasional touches of pathos which were of equal power to cause intense silence. Mr Rae, on behalf of the Grahamvale people, extended a hearty welcome to the soldiers. If it had not been for the noble work of such men, the people of Grahamvale would not be as they were that night. He thought it was the duty of the people of the place to look after the interests of the soldiers and help them if they wished to take up land in the vicinity. Most of them had been considerably knocked about, and if people could extend a helping hand to them it would assist greatly in restoring them to their old selves. He was glad that it had been decided to have in the school an honor roll to commemorate the young fellows who had enlisted from Grahamvale, and he favored the book form recommended by the Director of Education, which would allow a page for each soldier's name and the particulars of his enlistment, time of service, etc (applause). Mr Ford declared that he could not say enough for the soldiers, and for what they had done. They were all pleased and proud of the way in which the soldiers had done their duty. The people at home had followed with their prayers these men who had been so ready to fight and to die for their country, and he was glad that there was to be an honor roll in the school so that the children and grandchildren of the Grahamvale people should always have before them a reminder of what the soldiers had done. There must be a finish to these welcomes when the boys were all back, and he thought it would be a good thing then to have a picnic for all the soldiers and people of the place, to be followed by a concert, given altogether by the soldiers. The returned men did not care to talk of the war, but he thought at such a concert they might be induced to tell something about what they had seen and done, and he would ask them to get into practice so as to be ready (laughter and applause). The Rev P.J. Edwards, who is an ideal chairman, made not one but several speeches, each of which was in its own way excellent. He caused hearty laughter by an account of a young lady friend of his, one Clara of Brandy Creek, Gippsland, who was framed on such generous lines that she could not be got into a railway carriage, although he had done his best to help her, and had to be accommodated in the guard's van. Speaking of the soldiers he said that he had taken part in all the Benalla functions when boys went to the front or returned, and he had also done his part in the sad duty of breaking to parents the news of their sons' deaths. For 58 months they had followed the doings of the heroes of Australia, but it was impossible for men and women in this country to know what their soldiers had really faced. He had been a soldier himself — for three years he had served the guns — and for six years more he had been an army chaplain. He wanted badly to go to the war, but they would not have him, and he was told that his work lay at home. But though he could not go himself he was proud of the way in which the Australians had fought, and he was thrilled when the story was told of how they had scaled the precipitous heights of Gallipoli. In France, Flanders and Belgium also, the Australians had covered themselves with glory. He joined in the welcome to the brave men who were back with them that night (applause). Speaking later, Mr Edwards paid a warm tribute to Mr W.M. Hughes for the work he had done for Australia at the Peace Conference, saying that he was worthy to rank with such men as Earl Grey, and with his great fellow Welshman, Lloyd George, who were among the foremost men in the world. There had been wonderful things in the war, and the hand of God had been at work to preserve the world. The story of the angels of Mons was disbelieved by some people, but there were those who actually saw those angels in the sky, and who knew that the German cavalry, which could have crushed the 100,000 British soldiers that were opposing them, turned and rode away when those angels appeared. Then there was the retreat of Von Kluck when Paris was open to him. That could only be ascribed to the hand of God. He thanked God for these things, as well as for the valor of their soldiers and the devotion of their nurses, who had acted the part of ministering angels. Germany, the country which had set out to enslave the world, was now left without a friend and in the depth of humiliation, and to God was due the thanks for the great victory (applause). Mr Roxburgh, representing the Shepparton Fathers' Association, joined in the welcome to the soldiers, saying that the Australians who had before the war were all engaged in peaceful avocations, had proved themselves able to stand comparison with the best warriors of the old world. He hoped that the aid spoken about by Mr Roe would be extended to all the Grahamvale soldiers in need of it, for too much could not be done for such men. Mr Jos Hillier, for the Shepparton branch R.S.A., welcomed his comrades back, hoping that they would soon be restored, in great measure, to their former health. They would always be welcome in the club rooms, and he hoped they would come along and join up in the Association, for they would have to insist upon their rights, and they wanted all the help they could get. On behalf of the Rev P.J. Edwards, he had to extend to them an invitation to the smoke night to be given by that gentleman, which would probably take place early next month. Pte Hicks, in returning thanks for the welcome on behalf of himself and his comrades, caused some surprise when he claimed Mr Edwards as a former Brandy Creek acquaintance, and there was hearty laughter when the soldier went on to tell the people that if they did not believe the clergyman's story about the obese Clara they could believe him, for that he had known the young lady and could vouch for her size. He was now going to belong to Grahamvale, and he had been glad to hear the talk about helping the soldiers. They could start on his block as soon as they liked (applause and laughter). He was pleased to be with them that night, but he had been to two or three such affairs already, and he hoped this would be the last one (laughter). After all, the soldiers had done no more than their duty (applause). Pte H. Sutherland, on behalf of his brother "diggers" and himself wished to express their appreciation of the welcome that had been given them. He hoped that the soldiers would be able to join with the Dads' Association to make this a better country, and that they would be assisted by the way in which the fathers and mothers expressed the franchise at elections (applause). |