Hundreds have turned out for the Dawn Service at the Cenotaph at Newson Park for the annual Anzac Day commemorative Service.

   Covid left Australians in their driveways over the last 2 years and showed in a minuscule way, the need to stick together, follow rules and regulations and adhere to Government protocols for the greater good of our nation. Something that Australians have been familiar with over the last 100 years or more, however, something that reminds when times are tough.

     Conflicts that have involved Australians all the way back to the Boer War are remembered on ANZAC Day, although the term began to be used in 1915. It is likely that Sergeant K.M. Little, a clerk in Birdwood’s headquarters, thought of it for use on a rubber stamp: ‘ANZAC’ was convenient shorthand, and became the telegraph code word for the corps. The Anzacs first saw action at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

    Crowds gathered at the Cenotaph from 5:40am to the sound of local birdlife. Kookaburras could be heard around 6:00am at the commencement of the ceremony which was emceed by Tim O’Keeffe. The noisy territorial call of the Laughing Kookaburra is one of the best known sounds of the Australian bush. A mix of cackling ‘laughter’, chuckles and hoots and is most often heard at dawn and dusk. It could have been the larrikinism of our first ANZACs who gave our nation its identity.

   Cameron Hooke, Hugo Sachs and Councillor Matthew Stadtmiller all spoke at the ceremony with Hooke leading much of the service.

   The service commenced with the hymn Abide With Me….

“Abide with me, fast falls the eventide

The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide

When other helpers fail and comforts flee

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness

Where is death’s sting?

Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me”

 

The 23rd Psalm was then read out…..

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

 

A wreath was then laid by the Murrumburrah-Harden Sub Branch and by Councillor Stadtmiller before the Ode of Remembrance was read out…

“They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.

Response:

We will remember them
Lest we forget”

The Last Post was played as was the Reveille before the Prayer of Benediction.

Both the New Zealand and Australian anthems were played before the crowd were informed that the service was over.

   They were told by Tim O’Keeffe about the morning service which will commence at the Newson Park Cenotaph at 11:00am sharp with those wanting to march, needing to be out the front of the Mechanic’s Institute no later than 10:30am to form up.

The Light horse service will commence in Murrumburrah around midday while Wombat also held their Dawn Service this morning as did Galong.

Jugiong will hold their service later this afternoon which will commence at 3:15pm with a march, before the service starts at 3:30pm.