Lakes Entrance came together last Thursday to commemorate ANZAC Day at packed mid morning and dawn services.
Lakes Entrance RSL Sub-Branch president, Terry Kavanagh, was thrilled to see a healthy crowd that was teeming with youngsters at each service.
“The day went very well. Both services were well attended. By my estimates we had in excess of 300 people at the dawn service and more than 600 at the 11am service. They were hanging off the ceiling so to speak,” he said.
“Each went smoothly and I was happy to see so many people there, especially children.
“We had one local kindergarten bring their children to the service and they laid a wreath. It was great to see local schools have a representative lay a wreath. The Lakes Entrance Secondary College captains laid a wreath and recited a poem.
“The services couldn’t have been run much better.”
At the 11am service Mr Kavanagh provided the opening address, while Pastor Michael Carlisle, of Lakes Entrance Baptist Church, performed the Benediction.
The hymn, Abide With Me, was sung by Gloden Mercer and Abigail Nolan, who was accompanied by Bruce Ardley on the keyboard. The trio also led the audience in the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.
Lakes Entrance Secondary College captains, Clancy Chester, Nathalie Griffiths and Amy McKenzie, recited The Soul of Australia. Archdeacon Philip Muston, of St Nicholas Anglican Church, commemorated the fallen, and St Brendan’s Catholic Church’s Father Anthony provided the scripture lesson.
Bruce Ardley played the Lament as a great number of wreaths were laid in remembrance of the sacrifice made.
The Ode was recited before Kees Dogger and James Prcela performed a moving rendition of the Last Post.
Guest speaker, Sub-Lieutenant Kealan Hamilton-Sturdy, Aviation Warfare Officer Trainee, East Sale RAAF Base, spoke about the legacy the first ANZACs created and how it is still evident today.
“As the first ANZACS waded ashore at ANZAC Cove 104 years ago, none of them could have imagined the legacy they would create for their newly independent nation,” he said.
“From the grinding hardships and terrible sacrifices of the Gallipoli campaign emerged a distinctly Australian identity, one which recognised the importance of sticking by your mates, overcoming great adversity and getting the job done.
“In August 1915, Private H.V. Reynolds, who was at Gallipoli, wrote in his diary that ‘the average Australian will stand up to his job and see it through, or go down in the attempt, and it is humanly impossible to do more’.
“More than a century has passed since Private Reynolds penned those words, but the ethos that developed in the trenches of Gallipoli and the Western Front has sustained and inspired those who have worn the Australian uniform and served in distinction in so many campaigns.
“ANZAC Day is a time for all Australians to reflect on more than 100 years of service and sacrifice, and to remember those who are currently serving.
“Today the Australian spirit of courage, teamwork, perseverance against adversity, fairness and compassion continues to be demonstrated by our soldiers, sailors and airmen and women on deployments around the world.
“More than 3300 Australian Defence Force members are on operations today across the globe, from Asia, to Africa, and many locations in the Middle East.
“The qualities demonstrated by the original ANZACs and carried forward by generations of ADF members are not simply military related. These qualities are Australian values because, after all, our men and women in uniform are drawn from the Australian community and reflect what our society holds true.”
PICTURED: Lakes Entrance RSL Sub-Branch vice president, Ray Barling (left) and president, Terry Kavanagh (centre) with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) East Sale catafalque party members Sean O’Sullivan, Alex McLauchlan, Rhianna Nelson, Olivia Veal and Kealan Hamilton-Sturdy.
