The memorial, a bronze statue of ‘Cobbers’ by renowned Melbourne sculptor Peter Corlett, has been installed on the Shrine precinct close to St Kilda Road.

Mr Brumby said the statue immortalises the courage and willingness of Australian soldiers to risk their lives to save their mates, who lay wounded in the murderous no-man’s-land between the warring armies.

“This is a powerful image that captures the indomitable ANZAC spirit that has sustained Australians in war and peace, in times of crisis and danger, when ordinary people perform extraordinary feats to help others,” Mr Brumby said.

“The Battle of Fromelles is the worst day in Australia’s military history - when we had more than 2000 killed and over 3500 wounded.

“Victoria’s 15th Brigade, led by Brigadier “Pompey” Elliott, bore the brunt of the casualties.”

The statue of Cobbers is the twin of the award-winning original sculpted by Peter Corlett and erected at Fromelles in 1998.

Welcoming the Mayor of Fromelles, Mr Brumby said the installation of ‘Cobbers’ was a fitting way to consolidate Victoria’s special relationship with France and the Fromelles memorials.

“It is also fitting that Sergeant Simon Fraser, one of the heroes of Fromelles, and a farmer from Byaduck, near Hamilton, is shown in the sculpture carrying his cobber home to the Shrine, where all those Victorians who have fought for their country are eternally remembered,” Mr Brumby said.

In his diary, Fraser recorded being in no-man’s-land, and finding a wounded soldier, who was he was unable to carry alone. As he turned to go back for a stretcher party, another wounded man called out: “Don’t forget me, cobber!” 

Fraser came back with a stretcher party and rescued both men. It was this moment of bravery and mateship that Peter Corlett has dramatised in bronze.

Minister Assisting the Premier on Veterans Affairs Tony Robinson yesterday officially welcomed the Mayor of Fromelles and his wife Therese at a reception at Anzac House.
 
Mr Robinson visited Fromelles in April as part of the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC study tour and the 90th Anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux.