Leeton Shire's 'Men and Women of Leeton: Saluting Their Service' street banners will once again be displayed along main roads in time for Anzac Day, continuing the community's tribute to local service personnel. With the first instalment of the project displayed for Remembrance Day last year, the banners honour those with connections to Leeton Shire who have served in Australia's military forces.
All contributions to the project, including historical photographs and information, will be preserved by the Leeton Family and Local History Society to ensure a lasting community archive. A future extension of the project will see artwork and photos that were not suitable for banners displayed on the Leeton Water Tower.
The project has been met with overwhelming support from the community, with families expressing gratitude for the recognition of their loved ones' service. Residents and visitors alike have praised the banners as a powerful and moving tribute, reinforcing the importance of honouring Leeton's military history in such a visible and meaningful way.
Events Officer Fran Macdonald said this year's Anzac Day will be particularly significant, as the daughter of Captain Levings—who features in the first set of banners—will be traveling from New Zealand to commemorate the day in Leeton.
"Having never met her father, who passed before she was born, her visit highlights the personal and emotional connections this project fosters, ensuring the stories of Leeton's service personnel are remembered and honoured," she said.
While the project has made great progress, there are still a few challenges to navigate before it is fully completed. Seven banners remain to be filled, and not all 40 banners can be displayed at once due to a current shortage of street banner poles. Council is working on a plan to expand the number of poles, with installation scheduled for the next financial year.
Another unexpected hurdle has been the closure of the original banner supplier, requiring the project team to find an alternative supplier who can deliver within the constraints of the Department of Veterans' Affairs Saluting Their Service grant funding. Despite these delays, work is ongoing, and the final 14 faces are being confirmed. While these banners won't be ready for Anzac Day, they will be completed in time to display for this year's Remembrance Day.
