Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal

Seville Township Group operates in Victoria’s Yarra Valley and aims to improve Seville for the benefit of the local community and those in the surrounding areas. They hold an FRRR Not-for-profit Fundraising account on behalf of the Seville War Memorial Committee. An “epic” eight years in the making, this project is now very close to completion. While the Committee hosted a Remembrance Day Service in November 2021, after adding finishing touches at the end of last year – including lighting – the group is now planning what they believe may be the first local Dawn Service for ANZAC Day next month.

While it’s a War Memorial first and foremost, it is also a public work of art, and an emotive and educational tribute to the nation’s military heritage. Constructed out of four glass panels with images and text on the internal and external surfaces, the almost four-metre tall design is a modern memorial, commemorating the service and sacrifices of local veterans, including George Ingram VC MM, a Seville local who was awarded the Victoria Cross in WWI.

In the latter half of 2021, The Seville Township Group were focused on completing the final touches on their project, including lighting design.
They proudly hosted their first Remembrance Day Ceremony in November 2021, and in April 2022 they hosted what they believe may have been the first ever Anzac Day Dawn Service in Seville.The StarMail Upper Yarra reported that there was a strong show of support with hundreds gathering. This included many community groups coming together as one, and the service included tributes from the Seville Fire Brigade, Seville Football Netball Club and the 1st Seville Scouts.

The service was also captured by Yarra Ranges Life TV as a live broadcast which you can watch here. 

The group noted that completing the project under budget while still achieving what they set out to do was a challenge, especially given COVID-related disruptions. Derry Aulich, President of the Seville Township Group wrote, “Our biggest learning curve was managing the project and its milestones.”

Holding an FRRR Fundraising account meant that they could receive tax deductible donations from the community. In total, they raised $60,173 througHolding an FRRR Fundraising account meant that they could receive tax deductible donations from the community. In total, they raised $60,173 through the account – around one third of the total project budget. “FRRR’s support throughout the project has been crucial in our budgeting and planning,” Derry wrote.

This unique War Memorial will stand out, not just in the Yarra Valley, but among memorials across Australia, and the community of Seville now, for the first time, has a dedicated place to pay respects to those who have perished in active service.  They hope it will be an educational tool for future generations, lest we forget.

Lest we forget.

If your group would like to know how you could partner with FRRR to raise funds for an important community priority, contact Jo Kemp, Philanthropic Services Manager.