Many Border and Riverina World War I soldiers died far from home soil, but a 15-month collection of that soil will form part of a centenary tribute to be unveiled on Saturday.
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Earth from the 1701 NSW cities, towns and districts that enlistees gave as their place of address has been included in a new public artwork at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney.
Albury-based registered land surveyor Charles Fransen was among hundreds of volunteers who collected handfuls of dirt from sites across the state.
Mr Fransen initially took soil from three Albury region sites but realised he could do more as part of a camping holiday near Tumut.
“I had a look at the map and saw that there was about half a dozen I could collect on the way there and on the way back if I took a different route,” he said.
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In all he visited 16 sites, including Lavington, Table Top, Thurgoona, Tumbarumba, Cookardinia, Balldale, Morven and Woomargama, recording exact co-ordinates of each as instructed.
Although invited, Mr Fransen is unable to attend Saturday’s opening, but plans to view the finished artwork, devised by Australian artist Fiona Hall, in the future.
“I thought it was an interesting concept,” he said.
“It’s a way of showing my respect for the servicemen, I guess.
“While I may not agree politically with all wars I certainly respect the soldiers that showed the bravery and the compassion for the people of Australia to be involved.”
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