Alyssa Fritzlaff
LOCAL veterans have been honoured in a new mural at the Yallourn/Newborough RSL.
Painted by artist Steve Bechaz, the mural depicts Jean Bickerton, Robert Pritchett, George Harris, Sir John Monash, Ernie Clegg and Jack Hamilton.
On Thursday, February 3, veterans, members of the RSL, family and community members gathered to admire Mr Bechaz’s work and honour those who served Australian in the war.
Mr Bechaz said the mural took many months of research and preparing to reach the
finished product.
The mural is primarily spray paint, although Mr Bechaz said he did use a brush on the finer details.
Mr Bechaz said the mural would not have been possible without the supported from
Veterans Minister Shaun Leane, a veteran’s grant and the Yallourn/Newborough RSL.
“It took a few months to do, because there was lots of research and designing that went
into it,” Mr Bechaz said.
“I do love a challenge, and I do want to do more portraits.”
Mr Bechaz said he enjoyed learning more about local servicemen and women while he
worked on the mural.
“Thank you to the veterans for putting their trust in me… thank you to the community,
and a special thanks to Steve Moy – he help get it all started,” he said.
The mural faces towards the location where the dawn service is held each year, and has
the Ode of Remembrance painted on the side.
World War II nurse Jean Bickerton attended the event.
painting of herself.
She is pictured in her nurse uniform on the mural, an image which was painted from a
photograph taken when she was about 21 years old.
Mrs Bickerton said she was “shocked” to find out she would appear on the wall.
Her nurse’s cape is currently on display at the Moe RSL.
Robert Pritchett, illustrated next to Mrs Bickerton on the mural, was a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps in World War II.
He died as a prisoner of war in 1943 after he was captured in Singapore.
After Mr Pritchett’s family were notified of his death, a wreath has been laid every year
for over 75 years by his son Tom Pritchett.
George Harris, a member of the Morwell RSL, was pleased to be featured on the wall.
Mr Harris has been a local for most of his life, having moved to Morwell at the age of 15.
painting of himself on the mural.
“It is an honour,” Mr Harris said.
Mr Harris is painted next to Sir John Monash, the first chairman of the Victorian
State Electricity Commission.
Sir Monash served in World War I and was amongst those first under fire in Gallipoli.
He was in charge of the entire Australian Corps by 1918.
Ernie Clegg’s great granddaughter Chloe Clegg also attended. Chloe was very close
with her great grandfather.
painting of her great grandfather Ernie Clegg.
She spent every Anzac Day and Remembrance Day with Mr Clegg, who she remembers fondly.
Mr Clegg had a long career in the Royal Australian Navy, and was remembered by his
peers for entertaining the crew on ships with singing, dancing and humour.”
“It is very special to have him on the wall,” Chloe said.
The daughters of Jack Hamilton, Beth Cox and Faye Brown, were present at the event
with Mr Hamilton’s granddaughter Kelly Cox.
painting of himself on the mural.
Mr Hamilton was a long-time president of the Yallourn-Newborough RSL, and his family delighted he featured in the artwork.
“It’s amazing to drive past and see him on the wall,” Beth said.
Faye agreed with her sister.
“It’s pretty special… I cried when I first saw him,” she said.
Former Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson voiced her support for the new mural.
“I think it’s a very respectful and thought provoking thing,” Cr Gibson said.
“These are the faces of people who gave everything.”
Cr Gibson said she hopes Mr Bechaz’s artistic additions to the region will bring more
visitors to Newborough and Moe.
“It’s lovely to take pride in our town… hopefully they will make people come and see
what we have to offer,” she said.
The full dedication ceremony for the mural will be at the Yallourn/Newborough RSL on February 17, 2022, from 10am to 11am.
