Strong support for Anzac Day commemorations in Narrabri

Anzac Day commemorations in Narrabri were marked with strong support from the community on Saturday.

The Narrabri West dawn service has been acknowledged as one of the best yet, with regular attendees commenting that it had the biggest turnout in many years.

Similarly, the Narrabri dawn service and late-morning civic observance drew strong attendance from community members, local organisations and town schools.

Narrabri RSL Sub-branch president Graham Thomas presided over the Narrabri town dawn service with an oration provided by Reverend Bernard Gabbott of the Narrabri Anglican Church.

The traditional Anzac Day breakfast was again staged at the Narrabri RSL and catered by the Narrabri RSL Sporting Body.

Community members lined Maitland Street to watch the Anzac Day march proceed to the Narrabri War Memorial for the late-morning civic observance.

Club Narrabri chief executive officer Paul Gordon officiated as master-of-ceremonies.

Mr Gordon thanked the community for its strong support once again as well as the many organisations that provided assistance to ensure the commemorations are a continued success.

The wreath-laying served as a poignant moment in the morning’s observance, with many community members and organisations honouring service and sacrifice by placing tributes at the war memorial.

Students from Narrabri schools featured as a prominent part of the commemoration through prayers and orations.

Adding to the poignancy of the day, Sally McFarland again featured on the bagpipes while the morning’s hymns were sung by Carmel Harvey.

Silence fell across the large crowd for one minute’s silence which was followed by the Last Post and The Ode.

The New Zealand and Australian national anthems were performed by Jacqui Carolan, ending the morning’s commemoration.

Anzac Day commemorations in surrounding towns and villages also reported strong attendance.