Cranbourne Star Salvo's story follow up.  The Cranbourne Star Community newspaper who published the story of the Salvo's 2/2nd Flag find last November, has now published a follow up story of the flag now on display at The Shrine, Melbourne as part of the "SPARTANS & ANZACS" Exhibition. Read the story below. WWII relic found in Clyde North displayed at Shrine  The Australian flag containing up to 28 signatures that belong to soldiers from the 2/2nd Field Regiment during World War II was discovered at a Clyde North November of 2025.
It is now on display at The Shrine in Melbourne as part of its ‘SPARTANS & ANZACS’ Exhibition which opened on 15 April. The relic was unearthed by the store’s staff member, Kylie Baker who later sought the assistance of her parents Denis Holland and Sue Holland, long time Springvale RSL members. The investigation led to locating the President of the 2/2nd Field Regiment Association. Mr. Malcom Fallon, Citing the images of the flag that Denis and Sue had sent him, Mr Fallon began his own research. The president looked into each name that was signed on the flag, many began with ‘VX’, meaning most enlisted in Victoria. Cross referencing each name through the National archives, he was able to confirm their deployment history, indicating that the relic was likely signed in 1940 or 1941 — making the flag nearly 85 years old. On Saturday 25 April, as thousands of Victorians visited The Shrine to commemorate Anzac Day, Mr Fallon told Star News that being able to see the flag on display was “very special”. “I can say there were quite a few tears and quite a bit of nostalgia associated with it all,” he said. “It was amazing to be honest with you and we will be forever grateful to whoever dropped that flag in instead of it just being thrown in a rubbish bin and being lost forever.” “For it to come up now is just amazing, we’re just thrilled with everything that’s transpired and how it’s all worked out.” And while the jury’s still out on the original owner and donator; the flag and its extensive history is now up for display at the Shrine for the next 12 months until April 2027.  Lining up pre march in Collins Street, Melbourne the Trewarne family were well represented. L-R: Simon & Tina Trewarne, Mia Rolina-Trewarne, Joanne & James Trewarne & Vice President Derek Trewarne.  2/2nd Association President Malcolm Fallon met up prior to the march in Collins Street with 39th Infantry Battalion Committeeman Tim Fitzgerald. Both were long serving but now retired Country Fire Authority Officers. Luncheon photos will be posted when converted to correct files as they won't load in present format.
 ANZAC Day 2026 March & LunchANZAC Day 2026 has again proven the adage "Lest We Forget" with the 2/2nd Field Regiment again having a strong contingent of descendants gathering early to remember and pay our respects to our forebears. 35 lined up in Collins Street behind the 2/2nd Field Regiment banner with Oakleigh Grammar School students again carrying the banner proudly. We acknowledge school co-ordinator Mrs Natasha Spanos and students Ari, Connie, Edward, Nathanael, John and Sujay. Connie and John, now in year 11 have been banner bearers right through their secondary years and with year 12 looming in 2027 have already committed to participation in 2027. We have developed strong ties with Connie and John in particular over the years and will ensure we maintain links with them post Oakleigh Grammar. To our descendants, we welcomed quite a few new faces and it was wonderful to see Isaac, Mia, Matthew and other great grandchildren participating. The Jaboor, Taunt, Trewarne and Fallon families all had 3 generations marching. It was also great to see Carolyn Jeffrey (daughter of Bruce Needham)travel down from Sydney for the march and for Robyn Travers (daughter of Ben Travers) from Perth introduce herself to us. We appreciate you making the effort especially with travel and associated costs in these uncertain times. Following the march we took the obligatory group photos (thanks Bethany Fallon) before venturing into The Shrine to take in the Spartan & Anzac Exhibition which was warmly acknowledged. We then strolled down to the Rising Sun Hotel where we had a booking for 20 and us searching for extra seats as we had 25 present (please ensure to book in 2027!). We wrapped up around 1730hrs and even made sure we brought home the banner!!! Thank you to all who made the effort to ensure the 2/2nd Field Regiment remains a strong presence at Anzac Day. I always find it difficult to get around to everyone and have a chat but be assured I appreciate the effort you make in attending. Photos of the march including video clip, Group photo and from the Exhibition are attached. Malcolm Fallon President 
  L-R: Ari, Connie, Edward, Derek, Natasha, Malcolm, Nathanael, John & Sujay
 Oakleigh Grammar with Ms Carolyn Jeffrey carrying photo of father Bruce Needham.  L-R: Oakleigh Grammar Banner bearers with Co-ordinator Mrs Natasha Spanos, Ari, Edward, Connie, John, Nathanael and Sujay   Connie, Sujay, Mrs Spanos, Edward and Nathanael looking at one of the display cases.  Sujay, John, Nathanael, Connie, Ari, Mrs Natasha Spanos & Edward.
SPARTANS & ANZACS Exhibition Opens
The "SPARTANS & ANZACS" Exhibition at The Shrine, Melbourne went "live" on Wednesday 15 April 2026. The 2/2nd Field Regiment Association Inc. has played a significant role in promoting, meetings and providing artefacts to The Shrine to assist in the presentation which will be displayed through until April 2027. Prior to commenting and displaying a few photos, I would like to acknowledge in particular Shrine curator Mr. Neil Sharkey, Association Historian & Life Member Mr. Terry Cole and Secretary & Life Member Mrs. Mel Johnson for their contribution, knowledge and advice to The Shrine over an extended period of negotiations. A special thank you to contributors of precious family artefacts for loaning to The Shrine their irreplaceable memorabilia for an extended period. I visited The Shrine the day after the opening and several things immediately were strikingly noticeable. Firstly, the bright orange theme was a standout and made me drawn to it as it must of with others as there was a sizeable gathering forming and viewing the exhibition. The lead in takes you back to 480 BC and traces through the Spartan war led by King Leonidas at the "Thermopyle Line" right through to 1941 where the 6th Division and our forebears fought at the same location and with Brallos Pass looking over the line. There is a very well produced audio visual within the exhibition that is well worth taking the time to watch. Whilst there are many highlights and quite a bit to take in, the original Spartan armour, helmets and daggers dating back 1000 BC are amazing and the donor should be acknowledged for allowing these massively valuable artefacts to be exhibited and loaned for the period of the exhibition. As a final touch there are 3 original "Dargie" paintings on loan from the Australian War Memorial which are National treasures themselves! If you are planning a visit, and we hope you will support the work put in, I would recommend you allow a good 90 minutes to view, read the stories, take photos etc. Of course, there is much, much more to see in addition to this exhibition that is worth taking in. There are Shrine volunteers available to answer questions and to point you in the right direction. Entry is free via the visitor education entrance (to the left facing The Shrine), take the 5-6 steps up through the military medal displays, turn right then at the end turn left and the display is before you. There is a small cafe and clean toilets and a gift shop as you enter . Enjoy your visit and please "Blog" and tell us what you thought of the exhibition. Malcolm Fallon President
Anzac Day March
WHERE: The 2/2nd Field Regiment Association WILL form up in Collins Street, East of Swanston Street, Melbourne with the 6th Division. WHEN: Saturday 25 April 2026 TIME: 0830 – 0900hrs GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE MARCH:
AT THE SHRINE:
Action Front - April 2026 Welcome to the April 2026 edition of ACTION FRONT!! It's time to grab a cuppa and find a comfy chair. This edition is packed full of information and articles. Thank you to all that have contributed to this edition, we hope you enjoy, so please click below to download your edition of ACTION FRONT. 
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