A bass drum that boomed across the Western Front during World War I will feature in this month’s Anzac Day centenary march after being discovered in Footscray.
The vintage drum, inscribed with the names of soldiers serving with the 1st AIF almost 100 years ago, was discovered during a recent clean-out of the Footscray Yarraville City Band’s storeroom.
The bands’ Anzac centenary manager, Colin Harrison, said restoring the drum, producing a travelling WWI memorabilia display and holding an Anzac Centenary commemorative concert in November were this year’s special projects.
The band received a $12,378 grant to help produce the concert, which will bring to life the stories of the original Anzacs and commemorate their sacrifice.
Gellibrand MP Tim Watts said the Anzac centenary local grants program would also help three other local projects.
The Footscray Historical Society has been awarded $17,100 to develop an interactive website on the Footscray Town Hall roll of honour board of servicemen and women in World War I.
Footscray Community Arts Centre will receive $9000 for an arts and cultural development project entitled ‘Black & White in World War One’. And Footscray Art Industry Resources will be given $7500 to assist in a
Women Wept exhibition, exploring the theme of women’s loss and grief in wartime.
