The story of the V Gate Lane Monument began on VP Day at the end of WW2 when it was announced that the war was over. Two local graziers from the Noon & Timmins family decided that we should do something that same day.
So, they cut a big V out of the bottom of a galvanised tank & put in on the gate into the lane that ran about 17 km from Middle Rd to St George Rd. It was there for many years until the lane was fenced & the local council formed the road up & the V was put on an iron bark tree near the road junction.
A council dozer driver was working down the Middle Rd in the 80s & decided to clear the intersection & pushed the tree, with the V, over into a big heap. All hell broke loose & the V was salvaged & put on the fence near the old gate posts.
In 1998, the Mitchell Rotary Club, Booringa Shire Council & local school Junior Council combined to build a gate & put the V on it & the Club erected the gate at the road junction.
A grand opening of the monument was held with members of the original family who made the V were there with many locals & service families from the Dunkeld area.
The local Mitchell Rotary Club members have painted the gate on a regular basis & now they have just finished the latest renovation. This included plaques supplied by the local RSL in remembrance of 16 local service personnel which were placed on the gates. The Mitchell Rotary Club also supplied and installed a shelter to the rear so visitors can sit & meet.
Local Rotary member, Rob Cornish had his father’s plaque fixed to the gate. There are direction signs on the Mitchell – St George Rd & on the Bollon Rd. It is about 70km south of Mitchell Township.
It has been a truly rewarding project over many years.
Gary Birkett
RC of Mitchell
