The Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee Incorporated

20/05/2026

A very special thank you to Carlo Gargano and Andrew Bellino, Principals of Ray White Craigieburn, for their most generous donation of $2,500.00 - covering the payment of our fifth and final granite column at the Memorial.

Ray White Craigieburn is a strong supporter of the Craigieburn War Memorial, having previously supported:

Memorial Build - Veterans Living History DVD - Our book 'Craigieburn Remembers - Our children's book 'Hope's ANZAC Adventure' - and now the final build stage of the Memorial.

Thank you Carlo and Andrew - Supporters of Veterans and the community.

raywhitecraigieburn.com.au

15/05/2026

A very special thank you to Tawasul Foundation for their most generous donation of $700.00 to our Sound System Replacement Project.

LR Back: Kevin O'Callaghan (CWMRC), Ninos Hozaya (Tawasul), Joseph Youhana (Tawasul)

LR Front: Rick Denny, Alan Penaluna, Vicky Casha, & Elwyn Randall - all CWMRC

If you wish to support our project to replace our sound system prior to ANZAC day 2027, then simply email [email protected] for details.

Photo courtesy of Tawasul Foundation

Tawasul

15/05/2026

A massive thank you to Epping RSL Sub-Branch for their most generous donation of $2,500.00 to the War Memorial Project - additional columns 🇦🇺

Epping RSL's donation pays for one of the five additional columns that will complete the 2016 Memorial Design work 🇦🇺

I wish to thank the Epping RSL Sub-Branch President, Mr Kevin Ind and the Committee, for their support on this most important addition to the Craigieburn Memorial 🇦🇺

Photograph: Phil Creek (Epping RSL Secretary), Kevin O'Callaghan (CWMRC President), and Mick Reid (Epping RSL Vice-President) 🇦🇺

Epping RSL Sub Branch Inc Victoria

08/05/2026

Congratulations to Kevin O’Callaghan, ESM, OAM, who yesterday received his award at Government House from Professor Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria.
Kevin was recognised for his outstanding service to the Craigieburn community through the Craigieburn War Memorial, the VICSES Craigieburn, and numerous other community organisations.
A well-deserved honour recognising many years of dedicated community service.

27/04/2026

Vale David Metelmann, 104, World War II Veteran 🇦🇺

55th Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (WWII title) 🇦🇺

David attended the blessing of the Craigieburn War Memorial on 1 April 2017 along with six other WWII Veterans 🇦🇺

David was the last of that highly distinguished group, with D.A. Chislett preceding him in March 🇦🇺

The last of the Greatest Generation 🇦🇺

Photographs courtesy of Casey Nunn and family 🇦🇺

Photograph of plaque courtesy of CWMRC 🇦🇺

27/04/2026

ANZAC Day Services rely on Volunteers 🇦🇺

Craigieburn is fortunate to have so many supporters 🇦🇺

18 Schools, Religious Communities, Scouts, Guides, Country Women’s Association, VICPOL, CFA, VICSES, and members of the public who laid wreaths and assisted us with the Services 🇦🇺

Craigieburn has ensured that the torch is held aloft 🇦🇺

Lest We Forget 🇦🇺

Photographs: Courtesy of the Craigieburn Camera Club - Karen Robinson, Andrew Haysom
Photograph of RAAF Cadets - courtesy of Phil Whitehead

26/04/2026

Feedback regarding our sound system on ANZAC Day has been noted. I ask that you bear with us - cost is a major issue and we are working on it 🇦🇺

The last hire system was around $4,000 which is crippling for a non-profit Volunteer body 🇦🇺

A suitable system is estimated at $10,000 - we are working on it 🇦🇺

Also, the CWMRC is an official Friends of the RSL - we perform as a traditional sub-branch. We meet at the Bowls Club - we are not a licenced club - we are similar to 80% of sub-branches - our sole purpose is conducting remembrance services and providing Veteran support 🇦🇺

Please support us and help improve our Services 🇦🇺

Lest We Forget 🇦🇺

26/04/2026

A very special thank you to 35 Army Cadets and 407 Squadron Air Force Cadets - both of Maygar Barracks, Broadmeadows 🇦🇺

Highly professional 🇦🇺

Great to see 407 Squadron at their first Dawn and Morning Service at Craigieburn 🇦🇺

Lest We Forget 🇦🇺

Photographs: Iwan Walter’s, MP, and Craigieburn Camera Club

26/04/2026

CWMRC Member John ‘Greg’ Ross continues to serve his community 🇦🇺

Thanks Greg 🇦🇺

Photographer: Kerry Munro

26/01/2026

Congratulations Kevin O'Callaghan.

🎖️ CONGRATULATIONS – MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (OAM) 🎖️

We are incredibly proud to congratulate our very own Kevin O’Callaghan ESM on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for his outstanding service to the Craigieburn community.

Kevin’s commitment spans more than four decades of selfless service, leadership and dedication to emergency services, veterans and community organisations.

🚨 Victoria State Emergency Service – Craigieburn Unit
• Founding Member (since 1981)
• Unit Controller (1991–2001)
• Peer Support Officer (1995–2009)
• Life Member (2024)

🌺 Craigieburn War Memorial & Remembrance Committee
• President (since 2014)
• Founding Member (since 2008)
• Co-Author, Craigieburn Remembers (2018)

🤝 Emergency & Community Service
• Member, Craigieburn & District Ambulance Committee (1996–2009)
• Founding Member, Craigieburn CERT (1994)
• Chair, Salvation Army Advisory Board – Craigieburn (since 2018)
• Member, RSL Epping Sub-Branch
• Volunteer Mentor, RMIT (since 2019)

🏅 Previous Awards & Recognition
• 40-Year Long Service Medal – VICSES (2021)
• Anzac of the Year – RSL (2018)
• Life Member – VICSES (2015)
• Citizen of the Year – Hume City Council (2014)
• Emergency Services Medal (2003)

This OAM is a fitting recognition of a lifetime devoted to service, leadership and community spirit.

Congratulations Kevin, Craigieburn is better because of you. 💙