In 1924 Dimboola RSL Sub-branch held their ninth ANZAC Day service at Dimboola’s new War Memorial, the Soldiers Memorial Higher Elementary School.

In May 1924, the students and staff relocated from their temporary classrooms at the state primary school.

The planned official opening was delayed until 2nd December 1924 owing to the availability of some dignitaries. RSL State Secretary, Mr A. M. David, performed the official opening of the building in the absence of Victorian Governor Earl Stradbroke, who sent an apology due to family illness. Mr David also unveiled the Roll of Honour.

The concept of the school as a memorial to honour the service and sacrifice of the Dimboola World War One (WW1) men and women volunteers, came from the need for a higher education facility.

Various ideas for a suitable memorial started in about September 1918, although the Spanish flu pandemic delayed progress until June 1921. A fifteen-man committee was formed, being eight RSL and seven community representatives. After much deliberation, the Dimboola Soldier’s Memorial Higher Elementary School was considered a worthy utilitarian memorial.

A building fund was enthusiastically supported by the general public, plus the contribution from the RSL Memorial Fund. The Education Department also contributed.

The Avenue of Honour was planted in 1924 to honour 55 men who were killed in action or died of wounds/illness.

The latest restoration occurred during the WW1 Centenary years, with a rededication in 2019.

Following WW2 32 trees were added to honour 31 men and Matron Dorothy Paschke. She was lost at sea when the SS Vyner Brooke, evacuating from Singapore in February 1942, was sunk in Bangka Strait by a Japanese bombing raid.

A WW2 Memorial Roll of Honour was put in place to accompany the WW1 Roll of Honour, and the WW2 Memorial gates were dedicated in 1953.

In 1949 a sundial memorial was unveiled by Vivian Bullwinkle to honour Matron Paschke.

A new commemorative site was established in 2019 with a War Memorial information board installed.

Dimboola’s War Memorial is unique to Victoria.

An official centennary event will be held on Saturday, 25th May 2024.