Record crowd at Wonthaggi
WONTHAGGI drew the biggest crowd ever to an Anzac Day service in the town on Saturday.
More than 700 people attended the dawn service, led by RSL president David Weekes and secretary Rod Gallagher.
A gunfire breakfast was attended by over 250 people.
Following an extended dawn service, the celebrations continued out front of the RSL in Graham Street for the 9.45am march.
Veterans, family members, RSL members, ministers Rev Graeme Peters, Captain Wai Wai Mar Sugunama and Father Manny Lomagno, the CFA, the SES, the scouts and the general community were led by the Wonthaggi Citizens Band through the streets to the cenotaph for a 10am commemorative service.
Also in the parade was a World Ware Two Stuart Light Tank transported on a restored military tank transport trailer owned and restored by Peter Tack.
Former MP Alan Brown was a guest speaker on the day. The second guest speaker’s speech was written by HMAS Cerberus’ Lieutenant Commander Kathryn Ford and delivered by Lieutenant Commander Paul Whetstone.
The speech recalled the sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Anzac Cove.
“They were the bravest young men, but almost all were very inexperienced soldiers, attempting the most difficult of operations, an amphibious landing against a well defended coast,” Lieutenant Commander Whetstone said.
“Our troops were volunteers from all parts of Australia, ordinary people attempting the extraordinary against overwhelming odds.”
Lieutenant Commander Whetstone spoke of Wonthaggi resident Robert Oliver, a butcher who enlisted at the age of 18 and lost his life on April 27.
His older brother Tom arrived to fight in the trenches of Gallipoli in July; he sent a card home to tell of the heroic death of his brother.
The endurance and self sacrifices of Wonthaggi men and Anzac nurses was also reflected upon.
The crowd was delighted with the fly over of the East Sale RAAF Roulettes.
Ready to march: back, from left, SES members Kristeenah Chippindall, Rae Stuart, Bec Rundle, Matthew Rundle, Michael Grigglestone, Josh Latham, Barry Tyack, and front, Samuel Monk and Peter Monk participated in the Anzac Day march through Wonthaggi on Saturday.
Wreath laying: from left, Samuel and Peter Monk had an Anzac Day wreath prepared on behalf of the Wonthaggi SES.
Community spirit: marching on behalf of scouts on Anzac Day were, back, from left, Louise Parkes, Helen Parkes; middle, from left, Hamish Burns, Izaak Dowling, Adam Arle, Rory McRae, Noah Camfield; and front, from left, Lucas Ton and Jayden Burns.
Yum: from left, Wonthaggi’s Hayley, Shay and Montanna Campbell enjoyed Anzac biscuits while watching the march.
Honoured: from left, Wonthaggi’s Vietnam veterans Peter McBain, Gordon Garbutt and Bill Davidson proudly display their medals while Saher Biggs (front) shows off his great grandfather’s medals from World War Two.
Flag bearers: from left, Brendan Renahan marched on behalf of his father who fought in Vietnam, Lincoln-James Whitley wore reproductions of his great grandfather’s medals, Hayden Renahan wore reproductions of his grandfather’s medals and Seth Renahan wore his great grandfather’s medals from World War Two.
Leading the way: the Wonthaggi Citizens Band led the march to the cenotaph for a 10am commemorative service.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Apr 28 2015. Filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
