June 2010 . . ANZAC Day Report for 2010
The support for the Dawn Service continues to increase with the numbers around 250 people attending. Pastor Danny Nugent conducted the service. Thanks to the boys who entertained us leading up to the service with their rendition of Redgums “I was Only Nineteen”. I have a couple of torches that were left at the dawn service so give me a ring on 3289 9208 if one belongs to you.
The Dawn Service has its origins in an operational routine which is still practiced by the Australian Army today. The half light of dawn plays tricks with soldier’s eyes and, from the earliest times, the half-hour or so before dawn, with all its grey misty shadows, became a favoured time for mounting an attack. Soldiers in defensive positions were woken before dawn. As the first dull grey light crept across the battlefield they were alert and manning their weapons. This was, and still is known as “stand to” and is repeated at sunset. After World War 1, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. With symbolic links to the dawn landing at Gallipoli at 4.29am on the 25th April 1915, a dawn stand-to or dawn ceremony became a common form of Anzac Day remembrance during the 1920’s. Hence Anzac Day as we now know it was born to honour the men and women who died and suffered in defence of our country so we can live the lives we now lead in freedom, not to glorify war.
Regardless of Anzac Day this year falling on a Sunday, numbers at the March and Main Service were as big as ever. The number of wreaths and floral tributes increase each year and was once again very moving and the highlight of the service. Poet Russell Plunkett’s very stirring and emotional presentation of his “Tribute to the Aussie Spirit” was well received by all.
A lot of people contribute to the success of the day and thanks to Mrs Fealy and Mr and Mrs Glusky who raided their gardens once again to supply the flowers for the floral tributes and the ladies who spent the afternoon putting them together; Pastor Danny Nugent for a very moving service; Dale Tokley of Brisbane Bus Lines for supplying the bus and Maurice Weston for giving his time to transport people to and from the service; Harry Thompson for the bugle calls at both services; piper Ross Tulloch and drummer David Stark; Marj, Carmel, Joy and Allison and their helpers for providing the breakfast and luncheon; the Apex Club, the Dayboro Junior Rugby League Sports Club, the Rodeo Association and Bill and Jean Rowe for making contributions to cover costs of the day; Kevin Stubbings for supplying the transport jeep for the older diggers; Chris Giles of Healthy Lawns for maintaining the garden around the Memorial; Ben Winn and Tamahiki White the flag attendants; Kevin Taylor, Greg Miller and everyone who helped set up chairs, cook breakfast, erect tents etc, and any one else who helped make the day so successful; and of course to every one who attended. It was also great to have so many young people there again and thanks for bringing your parents along. The school captains from Dayboro, Olivia Colyer, Seth Kennedy, Clare Hohns and Mitchel Robinson; and Mt. Samson’s Rhiannon Arkell and Jack Dobson again participated in the service. The younger generations certainly have claimed ownership of this day and it seems more important to them than any other National day. Also thanks to the Lions and in particular Ian Flinders, for supplying and setting up the P.A.system.
Thanks also to the Scouts who came early to set up and remove the chairs and for tidying up around the Monument after the service.
The School Anzac Day service we are invited to attend each year was very very good and was held in the new hall. It was a credit to the teachers and especially all the kids who all showed great discipline throughout the entire service. Impressive.
Many thanks as well to Doug Hartley and to Stefan and the Apexians who helped with the 2-up and raffles and to Bob and Carmel from the pub for their support. The money raised for the War Memorial Association will be put to good use within the community. Everyone at the services would have noticed the illuminated bollards surrounding the Memorial. These were installed with money obtained through a “Saluting there Service” grant from The D.V.A. and money raised at the 2-up.
Twenty attended the annual Lions Diggers Luncheon this year and we thank the Dayboro Lions Club for giving us the opportunity to get together with other returned people and their families, many of whom only meet on these days and Anzac Day. Thanks to Glen, Lyn, Pam, Natalie and Debbie and the footy club for providing an excellent meal and venue and Gloria Grant for an interesting insight into what the Lion’s do and George who spoke about his interest in older aircraft. Most enjoyable.
The Dawn Service has its origins in an operational routine which is still practiced by the Australian Army today. The half light of dawn plays tricks with soldier’s eyes and, from the earliest times, the half-hour or so before dawn, with all its grey misty shadows, became a favoured time for mounting an attack. Soldiers in defensive positions were woken before dawn. As the first dull grey light crept across the battlefield they were alert and manning their weapons. This was, and still is known as “stand to” and is repeated at sunset. After World War 1, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. With symbolic links to the dawn landing at Gallipoli at 4.29am on the 25th April 1915, a dawn stand-to or dawn ceremony became a common form of Anzac Day remembrance during the 1920’s. Hence Anzac Day as we now know it was born to honour the men and women who died and suffered in defence of our country so we can live the lives we now lead in freedom, not to glorify war.
Regardless of Anzac Day this year falling on a Sunday, numbers at the March and Main Service were as big as ever. The number of wreaths and floral tributes increase each year and was once again very moving and the highlight of the service. Poet Russell Plunkett’s very stirring and emotional presentation of his “Tribute to the Aussie Spirit” was well received by all.
A lot of people contribute to the success of the day and thanks to Mrs Fealy and Mr and Mrs Glusky who raided their gardens once again to supply the flowers for the floral tributes and the ladies who spent the afternoon putting them together; Pastor Danny Nugent for a very moving service; Dale Tokley of Brisbane Bus Lines for supplying the bus and Maurice Weston for giving his time to transport people to and from the service; Harry Thompson for the bugle calls at both services; piper Ross Tulloch and drummer David Stark; Marj, Carmel, Joy and Allison and their helpers for providing the breakfast and luncheon; the Apex Club, the Dayboro Junior Rugby League Sports Club, the Rodeo Association and Bill and Jean Rowe for making contributions to cover costs of the day; Kevin Stubbings for supplying the transport jeep for the older diggers; Chris Giles of Healthy Lawns for maintaining the garden around the Memorial; Ben Winn and Tamahiki White the flag attendants; Kevin Taylor, Greg Miller and everyone who helped set up chairs, cook breakfast, erect tents etc, and any one else who helped make the day so successful; and of course to every one who attended. It was also great to have so many young people there again and thanks for bringing your parents along. The school captains from Dayboro, Olivia Colyer, Seth Kennedy, Clare Hohns and Mitchel Robinson; and Mt. Samson’s Rhiannon Arkell and Jack Dobson again participated in the service. The younger generations certainly have claimed ownership of this day and it seems more important to them than any other National day. Also thanks to the Lions and in particular Ian Flinders, for supplying and setting up the P.A.system.
Thanks also to the Scouts who came early to set up and remove the chairs and for tidying up around the Monument after the service.
The School Anzac Day service we are invited to attend each year was very very good and was held in the new hall. It was a credit to the teachers and especially all the kids who all showed great discipline throughout the entire service. Impressive.
Many thanks as well to Doug Hartley and to Stefan and the Apexians who helped with the 2-up and raffles and to Bob and Carmel from the pub for their support. The money raised for the War Memorial Association will be put to good use within the community. Everyone at the services would have noticed the illuminated bollards surrounding the Memorial. These were installed with money obtained through a “Saluting there Service” grant from The D.V.A. and money raised at the 2-up.
Twenty attended the annual Lions Diggers Luncheon this year and we thank the Dayboro Lions Club for giving us the opportunity to get together with other returned people and their families, many of whom only meet on these days and Anzac Day. Thanks to Glen, Lyn, Pam, Natalie and Debbie and the footy club for providing an excellent meal and venue and Gloria Grant for an interesting insight into what the Lion’s do and George who spoke about his interest in older aircraft. Most enjoyable.
Richard Hawkins
