From wreck to Anzac memorial

A new addition to the region’s memorial services was unveiled in Caboolture Town Square on Friday.

It was an HG Holden Premier ’71 – lovingly restored by Elimbah resident Des Fiedler, with Aden Jacobi, from Aden's Art, doing the graphics.

Finished just three days earlier, the vehicle made an eye-catching debut at the Caboolture-Morayfield SL Sub-Branch Remembrance Day service.

The graphics depict conflicts from such as both world wars, Vietnam and Korea book-ended along the sides by crosses of the fallen and a solider heading home.

“I’m very happy with how it has come up,” Mr Fiedler said, “Aden’s input really helped.

“Originally, I thought of just having a little silhouette along the bottom with the sunset and Let e Forget on the tailgate.

“But Aden came up with all these different concepts. When I saw it, I fell in love with it.

“The car will come out for Anzac Days, Remembrance Day, memorial days. Next year it will be here for the Anzac Day parade.

“The year after maybe Burpengary or Morayfield. I’ll keep it in the ‘shire’.”

Mr Jacobi is well-known in the area having done artwork for the former Caboolture Shire Council logo, the Anzac Memorial at Wamuran and “a lot of cars”.

“I’ve known Des for a few years and had the idea of a tribute to the Anzacs,” he said. “This is what we came up with.

“I wanted to tell the story as simply as possible and am very happy with how it has come up. It’s done with vinyl, no paint.

“It goes all the way through to the front (of the car) with a solider carry his helmet, going home.”

Mr Fieldler, a mechanic, came across the HG Holden eight years ago, sitting unregistered in a shed and took it home.

“It was in a poor state,” he said, “just driveable, but no brakes, had a few dings and holes. It started and we got it on a trailer.

“I thought I’d patch it up and use it as a work van, but that never happened. I tried to sell it, but no-one wanted it!

“I really wanted to do something with it. My grandparents on my mother’s side were in the military, my son-in-law is ex-military, so is his family so I thought’s I do an Anzac theme.

“It’s been a hobby, but the last two years I’ve pushed myself to do it and finish it”