Note: As per recent logs, the original ammo can was recently discovered and is still near GZ (but not in a spot consistent with the hint). A replacement cache was placed many years ago and is still there. If you find the original cache I would really appreciate if you could remove and discard - you will probably need a disposable bag to carry it. My cache guardian has moved and I probably won’t be in the area again until the latter half of 2023.
This cache starts across the road from the Lakes Entrance RSL, and was launched on ANZAC Day 2007. An avenue of Monterey Cyprus pines was planted along the Esplanade in 1924 to honour the memory of the 26 locals who lost their lives during WWI. However, by 1997 many of these tree had died and been removed. Now only about six of the original trees remain. Local chainsaw artist John Brady was commissioned to carve one of the stumps into a memorial sculpture. This proved so popular that 5 more trees followed. John Brady has now died, so this is now a lasting legacy to his skill and the WWI dead. I believe that John Brady donated his time to create the carvings. The sponsors paid for the removal of the old tree from the site. When you visit you will see that one of the stumps had to be cut out and treated to prevent it rotting, and this has now been replaced on a concrete base.
To find the cache, start at the posted coordinates (WWI nurse) and visit each of the sculptures in order (A – F). They are in two groups of three about 700m apart.
“A” is the WWI nurse and “F” is the sculpture closest to the footbridge. Each letter equals the month that the sculpture was carved (eg Jan =1).
The cache was originally in an appropriate style of container (albeit not WWI vintage), located at: S37 53.(A-B-E)(E)(B-D) E147 59.(E)(C)(F-C-E)
The walk to the final cache location will take you across the footbridge and part of the way to the Entrance. Stay on the trail – absolutely no bush bashing required! Also watch out for muggles as they can quietly sneak up on you. Please pay attention to the exact location of the cache when retrieving, otherwise the hint will be useless to those who follow after you.