As the sun started to rise over the clock tower in Wee Waa last Thursday, a large crowd of about 250 people huddled around the town’s War Memorial for the Anzac Day dawn service.
Heads bowed, they paid tribute to and remembered the Anzacs along with those who have served and made sacrifices for our great nation and the way of life we enjoy today.
Anzac Day, April 25, is one of Australia’s most important occasions.
The national day of remembrance marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name still stands.
Even though the ranks of those returned servicemen and women at commemorations has inevitably thinned over time, the number of people who show up and attend ceremonies around the country every year shows the Anzac spirit lives on as crowds march to show and pay their respects, with the national anthem of New Zealand played at many services along with the Australian national anthem.
In recent years, it’s become a time to reflect on all theatres of war and think about those who have served and tragically died.
Commemorations were held across the Wee Waa district: a dawn and 11am march and service in Wee Waa as well as marches and services at Pilliga, Gwabegar, Burren Junction and Rowena.
Vietnam veteran Dennis Lowder usually hosts and organises the Wee Waa services, however, this year he was helping his mate and fellow Lion Bruce Gray drive his vehicle back from a charity rally in Western Australia.
Former serviceman Jim Couley and Dennis’ brother Ron Lowder did an excellent job of stepping up to speaking duties and they were also assisted in the organisation of the Wee Waa services by former service people, Lowder family members and community volunteers.
“There was a good turnout,” said Ron Lowder.
“We had a few other community groups, Wee Waa Panthers and Nurruby also contacted me asking if the kids could march and I said: ‘Look, the more the merrier’ – so they attended the 11 o’clock service which was great.
“It means a lot, and it means a lot to those who have served – that’s small communities for you, they get together and get behind these sorts of occasions.”
Mr Lowder paid tribute to the late Brian Warren who sadly died recently but the Vietnam veteran’s great contributions and important role at local remembrance services were recognised during Anzac Day proceedings.
Wee Waa’s living World War II veterans – Frank Hadley and John Collett also received a special acknowledgement from Mr Lowder.
Frank Hadley was in the American Navy at the end of World War II and John Collett served Australia as a gunner in the 2/1st Field Regiment 6th Division in the Aitape-Wewak campaign in New Guinea during World War II.
Peter Carrett sounded the Last Post, a tradition at Wee Waa Anzac Day services for more than 40 years. With Mr Lowder praising the town’s bugler, the Wee Waa Community Band and singer Jill Haire for their valued efforts in providing the community with live music rather than a generic recording.
“We’d be lost without Peter, I don’t know what we’d do if he ever hangs it up and the band were terrific too and Jill was leading the singing which was good,” said Mr Lowder.
“I also want to thank the bowling club who do such a great job with the breakfast after the dawn service.”
Returned servicemen and women, relatives of those who have served, community groups, schools, local organisations, and representatives participated in marches and services around the region and there will be more photos from across the district in future editions.
The wreath laying ceremonies proved to be a poignant moment again in 2024 as beautiful floral arrangements were placed at the base of memorials.
Mr Lowder said attendance by the younger generation boosted morale with all Wee Waa schools participating in the march, despite it being school holidays, along with boarding school students from the district and the Nurruby children who did a great job of keeping up, every little step they marched was a fantastic tribute to our service people.
Every year members of the Humphries family attend the Anzac Day service, a special moment this year involved the WWHS leadership team, including Chelsea and Jackson Humphries, delivering a speech about their late great-grandfather, World War II Veteran – Gunner George Humphries. Pictured centre is George’s son Graham before the march with grandchildren, Chelsea, Mason, Jackson, Chase and Van (front) Humphries. Family members also attended the dawn service.
Mr Lowder said he was impressed with how well the student representatives spoke at Memory Grove.
“The younger generation stepped up and you want the tradition to continue – it’s all about nation building and bringing people together,” he said.
“It was the first time I had both my grandchildren – Marnie and Percy – marching with St Joseph’s Primary School.
“They both came to the dawn service and Percy always likes to help the Lions Club do the set up.
“It’s just about trying to instil the right values into the younger generation, so they do have that sense of community and the right values for the future.”
Wee Waa High School captains Megan Crutcher and Jackson Humphries along with vice-captain Chelsea Humphries delivered an incredibly moving tribute to World War II Gunner George Joseph Humphries of Wee Waa, who Jackson proudly said, ‘was better known to our family as ‘Pop George’.
“Some people might have known part of George’s story, but we didn’t know the whole story shared and it was enlightening to listen to it,” said Mr Lowder.
“I grew up with Graham, one of George’s sons, we’ve always been good friends and I used to spend a bit of time there.
“George was always just a nice, quiet, unassuming sort of man – a gentle giant.
“And then to hear the kids talk about what he’d been through.
“They presented so well. All the schools did in their uniforms.”
Gunner George Joseph Humphries was the great-grandfather of Jackson and Chelsea Humphries.
As the students shared a snapshot of his remarkable and courageous story, many felt goosebumps contemplating the youth and innocence of the young locals, just like George from Wee Waa, who bravely went off to war so far from home and with little experience – they were handed weapons just days before they headed to the frontline, George sadly lost his brother Hilton who was killed in conflict and he faced unimaginable atrocities including being a prisoner of war, sick after being forced to drink contaminated water.
And then there were the emotions experienced by those on the homefront.
The students might have never met their ‘Pop George’ but the touching, relatable and emotional way they brought his story to life at the Anzac Day service made all in attendance reflect on how fortunate we are to enjoy the freedoms we have today, thanks to service of people like Gunner George Humphries and the sacrifices made for future generations such as the Wee Waa students.
And for readers wondering about the family tree in relation to the students: Gunner George Joseph Humphries was the great-grandfather of Jackson and Chelsea Humphries. Jackson Humphries is the son of Ashley and Amanda Humphries. Chelsea Humphries is the daughter of Luke and Erin Humphries. Ashley and Luke’s parents are Graham and Cynthia Humphries.
Graham’s parents were George (WWII veteran) and Eileen Humphries. Megan Crutcher is the daughter of Kerry and Jamie Crutcher. Megan is not directly related to George, but her father Jamie Crutcher is first cousins with Luke and Ashley Humphries through Cynthia whose brother is Chris Crutcher, Chris is Jamie’s father and Megan’s grandfather.
Every year the family is committed to participating in Anzac Day services.
Read the speech delivered by Megan Crutcher, Jackson and Chelsea Humphries here: Gunner George Joseph Humphries’ story shared at Wee Waa Anzac Day dawn service 2024 – The Courier (narrabricourier.com.au)
George Harder (Narrabri), Hilton Humphries (Wee Waa), Laurie Smith (Wee Waa), George Humphries (Wee Waa), Snow Dixon. Photo taken Tel Aviv. Photo credit: Dept of Veterans’ Affairs
