Yarrawonga, Mulwala and the wider district came together on Tuesday to honour the Anzac spirit with bumper crowds at the Dawn Service and marches held in both towns.
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The annual Dawn Service was held at the ClubMulwala RSL War Memorial with the lawns of the club almost full to capacity, before the march and service in Melbourne Street and at the cenotaph in Belmore Street also saw great crowds.
A great number of veterans, former and current ADF members took part in the march alongside the younger generation who showed their respects whilst many attendees also displayed the medals of veterans passed.
At the Dawn service, school captains of Sacred Heart College Chloe Burgess and Dominic McInness as well as captains of Yarrawonga College P-12, Maya Hargreaves and Jack Bassett all spoke of the meaning of the Anzac legacy to the next generation.
“As I stand here this morning, just like many of you, I have never held a gun as a means of protection or nursed a dying friend,” Maya Hargreaves began.
“I have never been to war or experienced anything close to what Australian and New Zealand service men and women have.
“From a position of privilege, I've had many opportunities that have allowed me to gain a greater sense of gratitude and understanding toward Australian war history.
“Last year, I was part of the Yarrawonga College Kokoda Leadership team in which we spent nine days in Darwin, Kakadu and Katherine.
“As I walked alongside my friends it was hard to imagine that boys only 16 and 17 years old had lost their lives and were laid here to rest. They were only kids. I know that these soldiers showed courage and resilience which represents the ANZAC spirit.
“My great grandmother Olive May Hargreaves, a cherished name in my family, joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment in 1941 following the Second World War.
“The nurses that staffed the medical units formed an integral part of each war campaign and the workload they endured proved themselves to be of dedication, courage, and spirit under such conditions. These skills saved many lives.
“My grandfather Trevor Hargreaves was also involved in the Vietnam War where 523 young men lost their lives.
“People believed the war could not be won. Yet Trevor and his mates would continue to put their lives on the line for us.
“They persisted, fought hard and formed bonds that would ensure they wouldn't go down alone.
“These experiences are unimaginable, and it is because of the sacrifices that so many have given that I can stand here today and talk about what ANZAC day truly means to me.”
Fellow Yarrawonga College P-12 Captain Jack Bassett shared the story of a young man who fought and died for our country.
“His name was Private William Johnston, and he was a young man from the rural town of Wagga Wagga,” Jack started.
“William was just 20 years old when he was sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign, which proved to be one of the bloodiest and most brutal battles of World War I.
“As a young soldier, William was part of the 3rd Battalion, which was tasked with capturing a strategic position known as the Lone Pine trenches.
“The battle for Lone Pine was a fierce and intense one, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. William and his fellow soldiers faced an enemy that was well-entrenched and well-prepared for battle.
“William was just one of many young Australian soldiers who fought and died in the Gallipoli campaign. They were ordinary men who came from Australia. They were farmers, laborers, and tradespeople who answered the call to serve their country.
“We owe it to William and all our fallen soldiers to honour their memory by upholding these values. We must remain committed to preserving the freedom and way of life that they fought and died for.”
Sacred Heart College Captain Chloe Burgess spoke of the fearlessness of the soldiers who risked their lives to guarantee ours.
“At dawn, on April 25, 1915, eight months after being deployed, 108 years ago today, the first Australian and New Zealand battalions landed on the shores of Gallipoli, now recognised as ANZAC Cove. Naive of the suffering and selflessness that would be experienced.
“With the greatest amount of pride, I am here today able to say ‘I am Australian’ because of the courageous acts of past, present, and emerging soldiers in this country we call home.
“With utmost honour, I acknowledge the numerous people who truly demonstrated the ANZAC Spirit through their contributions to the war and our country.
“Fearlessness, bravery, resilience, selflessness, and courage are characteristics that epitomise the ANZAC spirit.
“The ANZAC spirit will forever be honoured by Australians. Gratitude runs throughout my body as I stand here today able to see the smiling faces of my family and friends because of the admirable acts these brave men and women fore took.
“May their honour never be replaced. And may the lives of hundreds of thousands of Australians and New Zealanders be remembered by those who stand here today.”
Fellow Sacred Heart College captain Dominic McInness spoke of how waking early on a crisp Autumn morning, our minds turn to the very first ANZAC day 108 years ago.
“Today, we recognise all who have given their lives for our safety. We remember the sacrifices they made and acknowledge them for leading our country, Australia, to be the safe, friendly, social place it is today,” Dominic commenced.
“Without the contribution of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who have served in this country, the current generation wouldn’t be the same. As a result of their courageous service, we have seen this nation become greatly respected, but more importantly, a country where every citizen has extensive opportunities to succeed.
“Freedom is a word that is bandied around a lot. However, do we truly understand the meaning of freedom? To us, we see it as the power to speak, act and think how we like, but to the soldiers who served us, freedom had an unfamiliar meaning that they were determined to uncover.
“Today, I would like to bring to light the ultimate sacrifice that these soldiers made. 108 years ago, 16,000 soldiers departed their families; some for the very last time, in order to serve their country.
“Sacrifice is an attribute that I remember when I hear about my great-grandfather’s story, and how he stood alongside 416,808 other Australians who enlisted to fight in World War I. “There are many reasons we choose to honour our armed forces. However, I believe they all relate to our freedom.
“Today we stand here with the greatest pride in being able to say, ‘we are Australian’.
“And today, we gather as a whole to commemorate our beautiful nation and its heroes.”
After the dawn service the well-loved tradition of the gunfire breakfast was held at ClubMulwala before many made their way to the Mulwala march and service at 9.30am and the Yarrawonga commemorations from 11am.
Services by the Yarrawonga Mulwala RSL Subbranch were also held at Karana Aged Care and Woods Point Aged Care last Wednesday whilst Lake Rowan and St James held their commemorations, which were well attended on Sunday.
Tungamah furthermore held their own commemorations on ANZAC Day with a write up and photos to appear in next week’s Chronicle.
Journalist