Anzac Day means so many things. It’s not just remembering the battles, it’s about honouring the people, service, duty, mateship, resilience, loyalty and the commitment and responsibility those who serve and have served take on, to stand by and stand up for their fellow Australians.
In perfect autumn weather, hundreds of Boggabri community members were joined by visitors to commemorate Anzac Day in Boggabri. MC on the day was treasurer of the Boggabri RSL Sub-branch David Grover, who stated that he thought it was the biggest crowd that he had seen at a service.
A massive thank you to the Narrabri Shire band members who attended both the Baan Baa dawn service and the Boggabri service providing the drum beat for the march.
Flag bearers, Aaron Mosley and Daniel Peters led the march which included, veterans and family members followed by members of NSW Police Force, NSW Fire and Rescue, Rural Fire Service, SES, nurses, Boggabri Public School and Boggabri Sacred Heart School, as well as Boggabri children who attend Gunnedah High school, St Mary’s Gunnedah, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Tamworth, Calrossy Anglican School Tamworth and The Armidale School (TAS). At the end of the procession were the mounted Boggabri Pony Club members.
Rev Nick Stone delivered the commemoration address, relaying the story of local man Captain LF Kemmis and how he was gassed, had both legs amputated, nursed back to health by a volunteer nurse who he then married in England and then they moved to Willala when he drew a soldier’s settlement block.
Captain LF Kemmis’ son, 99-year-old Neil Kemmis was seated in the front row of those attending the service.
Haylee Turner, Kiarah Hill, Lachlan Stone, Macie Mackenzie, and Owen Rixon delivered prayers and readings during the service on behalf of Boggabri students attending Boggabri and Gunnedah schools.
The Boggabri War Memorial was covered by 45 wreaths as residents, local dignitaries and veterans paid their respects.
Boggabri has a proud history of its residents serving our country and Boggabri RSL members once again placed an Australian flag on the grave of all the veterans’ graves in the Boggabri general cemetery, the lawn cemetery and in the memorial walls.
Over 180 flags fluttering in the breeze are an overwhelming and an emotional sight.
The Carrigan family paid their respects with a wonderful display at the front gate of their property of poppies, silhouette and flags however the centre piece and most impressive article was a bench seat acknowledging family patriarch Clarence Patrick Carrigan NX125198 1 Aust Motor Brigade Coy AIF.
