DELUNGRA Cemetery will soon be adding another element to the serene setting, nestled in the countryside. The gates which formerly stood at the entry will be re-installed on Sunday, February 1 with a ceremony at 10am. 

Their reintroduction will join the recent addition of an ashes wall. Further plans include a flagpole and pathway to the wall. Delungra resident Harry McNaughton said the cemetery improvements are all part of the town’s preparations for their Anzac Day celebrations. 

The gates were originally installed around 1995 by the Delungra RSL Women’s Association. 

About six months ago, Inverell metalworker David Simpson received the gates to sandblast, powder-coat and paint them.

“And he did it as a donation,” Harry said. 

On Australia Day, Harry will display the gates near the stage in the park. He will also have a table set up so people can see the plans for the park Anzac gateway. 

The monument will have an arch between two existing columns that will display the honour rolls and emblems of the Australian and New Zealand Anzacs. The Australian names will be from Delungra and all its surrounding communities. 

On Anzac Day, the town will hold a supper dance and Harry is now asking those around the region and beyond if they have any keepsakes, mementos, photographs from World Wars I and II. He hopes their committee can assemble a display at the dinner for visitors to learn about the many men and women from the district who served in the military.

On Monday, people can put their names down for the supper dance, and purchase a tree that will be planted either at the Delungra Cemetery or around Delungra township. Harry has also ordered two Lone Pine trees to be planted in town and hopes the trees will be planted with help from two local World War II veterans.

If you have any military keepsakes you would like to display at the Delungra Anzac Day dinner dance, please phone Harry on 0408 216 212.