An open letter to the people of Narrabri

To the people of Narrabri:

The Spirit of the Anzacs is alive and prospers in the Narrabri community.

The good people of Narrabri Shire have ensured that in these times of the Coronavirus and the required isolation criteria the Anzac spirit did not dwindle but was strengthened.

At 5am on Anzac morning I attended the Narrabri West Memorial with bugler Sarah Smith, where the Last Post was sounded and the Ode delivered.

For obvious reasons this was not publicised.

However, several Westies showed their respect and laid a wreath following the Ode.

At 6am at the Narrabri War Memorial, the Last Post and the Ode were broadcast by 2MAXFM again this was not publicised.

Once more wreaths were laid by the people who attended to show their respect.

At 11am the people of the Narrabri district lined their driveways waving their Australian flags showing their respect to the Australians who made the supreme sacrifice and those who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam and in peacekeeping and peace making operations or other conflicts, including, Sinai, Namibia, Bouganville, Rwanda, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The above was in conjunction with 2MAXFM broadcasting the Anzac Prologue, the Last Post, the Ode and Reveille.

This was followed by poems and orations of the wars and the people who served.

Later in the day I visited both memorials to tidy up the wreaths that had been laid.

I can say without a doubt that the quality and number of wreaths that had been laid this year far outweighed those of past years.

I make particular reference to the wreaths prepared and laid by the Community Kids Narrabri, your efforts were greatly appreciated.

On behalf of the members of the Narrabri RSL sub-Branch and the people of Narrabri I wish to thank the following whose efforts and support ensured that 2020 Anzac Day was deservedly respected and remembered.

2MAXFM for promoting and providing their services by broadcasting the Anzac Memorial Services.

The Courier newspaper for planning and promoting the Anzac driveway memorial service and supplying free flags to the people of the Narrabri district.

Sarah Smith our bugler. Sarah was the first to volunteer to sound the Last Post and Reveille at the Narrabri West Memorial. Sarah your professionalism showed through – your blood’s worth bottling.

Paul Gordon, Sharon Goodhew and the staff at Club Narrabri. The Narrabri War Memorial was immaculate on the day and the illumination further enhanced the Memorial.

Last but not least to you, the good people of the Narrabri district.

I thank you for the respect you have shown, your commitment, and involvement in the above revamped Anzac Day memorial services.

You did this wholeheartedly and without breaching the isolation procedures.

With appreciation and admiration

Gary Mason, president, Narrabri RSL sub-branch