History of Darley Army Camp Enshrined
In a project spanning three years, the Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh, Vic., has set up a Darley Military Camp commemorative display panels and rotunda.
| Darley Military Camp was established on 160 hectares at Camerons Road, Bacchus Marsh, during World War II, on what has become land for housing. Australian, American and Dutch soldiers trained there before being shipped overseas. Many Dutch and American soldiers married local women whose families still live in the area. They met at dances. |  |
In the 1950s regular motor cycle races were held around the streets of what remained of the camp. The area was used for Citizen Military Forces training until the 1970s.
The opening of the display panels and rotunda was attended by some 200 guests and dignitaries along with members of the 2/29 and 39th Battalions, Australian Women’s Army Service and Australian Army Medical Women’s Service.
The commemorative panel display and rotunda was a project shared jointly between the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Shire of Moorabool and the Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh.
Guests heard that on September 23, 1940, on authority of Colonel Parkes, more than 4,000 troops arrived from Southern Command, Balcombe, Vic.
The camp had not been completed and 75mms of rain had fallen. The camp was without electricity, cookhouses or canteens but had quagmire roads. Work was accelerated to complete construction of the camp.
It was reported that during construction there were nearly two kms of hardwood, 1.6kms of flooring, 220 tonnes of corrugated iron and 30 tonnes of nails used.
Catering was large scale for the construction workforce with daily consumption of three sheep, beef, 500 hen eggs, 15 to 20 gallons milk as well as large quantities of bread, butter and other food. The AIF and Militia arrived over the next few days.
In October, a military band of 24 musicians was transferred from Caulfield, Vic. Local community requested Colonel Parkes to have the band welcome troops arriving on next two trains. The request was granted providing local residents transported the band. Three military parades with great marching music enlived wartime Bacchus Marsh.
 | Master of Ceremonies for the ceremony was Rotarian John Reid. Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh then President Simon Hookey welcomed guests. Senator Julian McGauran, representing the Minister for Veteran Affairs De-Anne Kelly, unveiled the display panels. President Simon Hookey, of the Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh, received an Australian flag from Catherine King, Federal M.P. for Ballarat, during the ceremony. |
Brigadier Keith Rossi, a member of the State Executive of the Returned Services League of Australia, represented State President Major General (Retd) David J McLachlan. Sally Cate represented the United States of America Consulate.
↑ Top
Previous page: Centenary of Federation Project
Next page: Join Us - Benefits of Membership