ANZAC Day Services Draw Crowds

Even ‘standing room only’ was in short supply on ANZAC Day as people of all ages filled Memorial Park to overflowing to remember our servicemen and women this year.

After two years of creative ways of commemorating this most special of days due to COVID restrictions, people were more than ready to gather together for the occasion.

The morning commenced with the Dawn Service at 5:30 am at the Cenotaph with a good crowd foregoing a little extra sleep in favour of greeting the dawn as our first diggers did so many years ago.

Following the official service, people who hadn’t seen each other face-to-face for a couple of years enjoyed catching up and checking in to make sure all was well.

The ANZAC March made for quite a spectacular sight with past and present servicemen and women and their families, community organisations, Council members and a large number of representatives from our local schools.

Lachlan Date gave the main address at the Memorial Service following the ANZAC March.

Griffith RSL Sub-Branch President Terry Walsh said he was looking for a good crowd this year and he was not disappointed.

“We used to get some absolutely incredible crowds before COVID,” Mr Walsh said.

“I was absolutely blown away by the number of people that turned up to the Dawn Service.

“I’ve never seen a turnout like that for the Dawn Service.

“What I was truly gratified by was that it was the last day of the school holidays, so it had been two weeks since they had been spoken to about it, yet they turned up in huge numbers.

“From the members of the Grifith RSL Sub-Branch, we’re all very, very happy with how the services went.

“Our old ANZAC Day is back.

“The support we get from this town - it’s great.

“They have a great affiliation now and they understand what it’s all about.”

Services in Yenda were also well attended by the community and schools.

They then whiled the afternoon away with a rousing game of Come In Spinner - 2 up at the Diggers Club with Ring Master Lance Gilbert.

Coleambally and Darlington Point shared this year’s ANZAC Day commemoration, with the Dawn Service at John McInnes Square in Coleambally at 5:45 am and the ANZAC Day March from the Post Office to the Cenotaph in Darlington Point from 10:45 am, followed by the Memorial Service at 11 am.

This year marks the first year since the Australian Forces withdrew from Afghanistan.

• Topics:

• ANZAC Day