Anzac Day is Australia’s special day of the year, traditionally recognised by generations as the day on which the community particularly remembers and honours those who served and died in wars.
Anzac Day 2024 in Narrabri Shire continued the national tradition of remembrance and respect with a growing number of young people once more stepping forward to take part in the solemn event.
Organisers, speakers and participants at the Anzac ceremonies across the shire praised the increased participation by the young which has become such an encouraging feature of the Anzac day observance.
“We are so pleased to again see so many families with young children and school students taking part, particularly when we are in school holidays with many families away” several organisers commented.
The Narrabri shire services drew huge attendances at the dawn and mid morning ceremonies.
In keeping with the trend of recent years, the numbers reaffirmed that the significance of Anzac Day is in no danger of fading from the community consciousness.
Wreath layers included the mayor Darrell Tiemens, Narrabri High School captains Lachlan Eather and Pearl Fuller, Narrabri Public School captains Chloe Cameron and Ryan Anderson and guest, RAN Chief Petty Officer Mark Gibbs.
Participants summed up the feeling expressed by many – the honouring of our servicemen and women will continue to grow in the years ahead even as the ranks of the older service men and women thin with the passage of time.
The shire’s principal service at Narrabri RSL War Memorial on Thursday again drew a huge attendance with solemn participants, including serving and former serving personnel, their family members, friends and many visitors to the shire.
Community and sporting organisations, emergency services and school students joined the march to the war memorial, reflecting the depth of community participation across the shire.
This year the Narrabri service was led by the recently appointed Narrabri RSL sub-branch president Nicole Gallagher who succeeds former sub-branch president Gary Mason OAM who has been the familiar figure leading the observances for many years.
Ms Gallagher paid special tribute to the role of Mr Mason for his service and commitment to the community over many years.
The Narrabri 11am service was preceded by dawn services at Narrabri West War Memorial at 5am and at Narrabri memorial at 6am.
Both dawn services again drew large attendances.
Flag bearers led the march to the Narrabri War Memorial. From left, the Colour Party, Tim Wedesweiler, Scott McCarron, Lee Iselin, Jacinta Peate, Michael Petersen and Pierre Thomas.
Club Narrabri CEO Paul Gordon was once again master-of-ceremonies of the commemoration, which proceeded smoothly from beginning to end, thanks Mr Gordon emphasised, to the many community members, sub-branch and club volunteers who worked on the preparation and execution of the event.
The ceremonies were held under blue skies, prompting Mr Gordon to note that the Narrabri Anzac services had never been ‘rained out’ in his 35 years of involvement.
A special guest at the Narrabri services was Royal Australian Navy Chief Petty Officer Mark Gibbs who delivered the prologue.
CPO Gibbs reminded his audience that the tradition of Anzac was born at Gallipoli. The same spirit of sacrifice and service has continued through the generations.
“The sons and daughters of the Anzacs came forward without question, accepted gladly and discharged fully their responsibilities during World War II Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam and in peacekeeping and peacemaking operations or other conflicts including Sinai, Namibia, Bouganville, Rwanda, East Timor and Afghanistan.”
Prayers, and addresses, well researched and confidently presented, were delivered by Narrabri High School captains and Narrabri Public School captains. Mayor Darrell Tiemens, Reverend Sam Smith, Pastor Renee Ritchie and sub-branch member Patricia Hadley, were speakers at the commemorations with traditional hymns accompanied by Narrabri Shire Band for the 11am service.
Senior members of the returned services community were driven on the march to the memorial aboard restored ex-military vehicles from the Namoi Valley Antique Vehicle Club and a fly past of Namoi Aero Club aircraft.
A feature of the Narrabri service again this year was the mounting of a ‘catafalque party’ at the memorial comprising Australian Air Force cadets from 339 Squadron, Moree.
Anzac Day guest speaker CPO Mark Gibbs, recently appointed Narrabri RSL sub-branch president Nicole Gallagher and Ms Gallagher’s predecessor, Gary Mason OAM, who led the Anzac observances for many years.
