RSL Tasmania Unveils Victoria Cross Trail
The Returned & Services League of Tasmania State Branch is today launching the Tasmanian Victoria Cross (VC) trail in Huonville in conjunction with the Huon Vally Mayor, Sally Doyle.
A pilot trial in the Huon Valley, it recognises and commends the 4 VC recipients from the area: Stanley Robert McDougall, VC, MM, Captain Percy Cherry VC MC, Sergeant John Dwyer VC and Sergeant John Whittle VC DCM.
The trail consists of:
A digital trail, informing participants about the Huon Valley VC recipients and guiding them to local points of interest for each of the recipients.
Interactive signs along the trail. Users can access the trail by scanning the QR code at locations important to each VC recipient, learn about them and other VCs
Huonville main street banners celebrating the area’s 4 VC recipients.
The VC trail is expected to foster a greater understanding for locals and visitors alike of these truly remarkable people and their incredible acts.
Following the pilot, the trail will be expanded to the remainder of the state, ensuring all 15 Tasmanian VC recipients can be acknowledged and remembered for now and future generations.
Notes about the Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross VC, awarded ‘For Valour’, is the highest and most prestigious award that our service personnel can receive.
There are 15 Tasmanian recipients of this award dating from the Boer War, WWI, WWII right through to modern conflicts. You have as much chance of knowing an Australian Nobel Laurate as you do a Tasmanian VC recipient.
The Victoria Cross was conceived by Queen Victoria in 1856 and first awarded in 1857.
Tasmania’s population is just 2% of the Australian population, yet an astounding 15% of the Nation’s VC Recipients hail from Tasmania.
