Feature Profiles
12 January, 2026
SUMMER READING Tribute in a paddock
Historian Ken Arnold explores the work of the Woosang Patriotic League
HALFWAY between Wedderburn and Charlton alone in a paddock stands the Woosang War Memorial, a monument commemorating those who fought in World Wars, including young farmer Robert Paterson who was killed in action during World War One.
The monument was erected by the Woosang Patriotic League in 1919 with the names of soldiers from the district who lost their lives in World War One on the faces of the monument. The names of soldiers who fell in World War Two were added to the base of the monument after the war.
The inscription on the memorial reads: “Erected by the Woosang Patriotic League. As a tribute of love to the District soldiers who served in the Great War 1914 – 1919. Also those who served in World War II 1939 – 1945”
The Woosang Patriotic League was formed in 1915 to support the war efforts from home.
Their first function was held to raise money for the Belgian Relief Fund in May 1915, they raised $229.33 from the event.
The league also sent 38 parcels to local soldiers containing a quarter of a pound of tobacco, a large tin of cigarettes, two packets of cigarette papers, one pipe, a half-pound tin of Griffiths chocolate, one tin of shaving soap, two pair of boot laces, one khaki handkerchief, 15 sheets of writing paper and fifteen envelopes.
In addition to the memorial the Honour Rolls were unveiled on March 9, 1917.
The rolls are recorded as being “a Tribute of Respect from the Woosang Patriotic League to the Honor & Lasting Recognition of the Undermentioned Young Men Past & Present of Woosang & District, who voluntarily enlisted & nobly played their part in The Great European War.
Robert Paterson, a farmer in nearby Buckrabanyule who had attended school in Woosang, enlisted at Bendigo February 1916 at 21 years old.
Paterson sailed to France in November 1916 as part of the 38th Battalion. After a successful raiding party on February 27, 1917, Paterson volunteered to assist stretcher-bearers in retrieving the wounded.
However, Paterson as he made his return journey across no man’s land, an exploding shell nearby killed him instantly, he was 22 at the time of his death.
While the league reformed during World War Two it was not as active as it had been a generation earlier
To visit the Woosang Memorial, take the Calder highway up through Wedderburn, and, about midway towards Char-lton, turn left into Nine Mile-Woosang Road and travel down past the cemetery to where you will find the monument in the middle of a paddock.
The two honour rolls are located in the Wedderburn RSL rooms.