Preserving Our Past

This beautiful and poignant counted cross stitch pic- ture was crafted by May Burgemeister in 2009. She generously donated it the Gilgandra Historical Society in 2011, prior to this it was a prize-winning entry at our local show. It was displayed at the Coo-ee Heritage Centre and more recently at The Gil.

The ode itself comes from the poem ‘For the Fallen’ written by English poet Laurence Binyon which was first published in The Times newspaper in September

1914. The fourth verse (Ode of Remembrance) is now a large part of memorial services all over the world including our own ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, and many other occasions when we remember those who gave their all to keep our country safe. The line ‘lest we forget’ (taken from Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘Recessional’) is added as if it was part of the ode and repeated in response by those listening.

A debt of gratitude for preserving these words in such a unique way is extended to this talented local lady