On Anzac Day 2009
The support for the Dawn Service continues to increase with the numbers around 250 people attending. Dr. Paul Inglis from the Uniting Church conducted the service. Thanks to the boys who entertained us leading up to the service with their rendition of Redgum’s “I was Only Nineteen”. 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 Saturday, 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 Sacrifice” was well received by all.
A lot of people contribute to the success of the day and thanks to Kevin and Margaret Sellin 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. Dr. Paul Inglis from the Dayboro Uniting Church for a 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, the Scout group flag bearers, Kevin Taylor, Greg Miller, Jim Brock 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 everyone who attended.
It was very pleasing to have so many young people there again. The school captains from Dayboro, Emma Bennett, Jayden Hanna, Bella Ianson and Tamaheke White and Mt. Samson, Caitlin Chambers and Dylan Brown again participated in the service.
The younger generations certainly have claimed ownership of the 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
A special thanks must also go to local music teacher Alison Chambers who again volunteered her time to prepare what is now known as The Anzac Day Band. This year Allison had to juggle preparing the band and caring for her new born daughter Kimberly, but I did notice lots of Mums lining up to baby sit during band rehearsals so a big thanks to them as well.
The band numbers increased to 27 and the performance was over and above expectations as usual and appropriately included for the first time the New Zealand National Anthem.
A heartfelt community thanks for Alison and the young people who participated. They were: On flute. Daan Bevan, Daisy- May Denny, Stephanie Gilmore, Laura Greaves and Taylor Mae Hewitson-Bevis. On Clarinet. Lucie Allcock, Megan Edwards, Kodi Lake and Jordie Wagner. On Alto Saxophone. Ben McPherson and Abby-Rose Williams. On Tenor Saxophone. Lily Colmer and Jesse Easlea. On Trumpet. Lonneke Bevan, Jack Denny, Harry Thompson, Leon Battagiene, Sedelle Wagner, Callum Schneid, Courtney Smith and Gray Wagner. On Trombone. Edith Bevan and Dean Smart. On Percussion. Jeremy Lake, Rebecca Thompson and Max and Elliot Morrison-Rose.
Local young vocalist Jade Naylor also volunteered to lead the singing along with members of the combined churches choir.
Thanks also to the school who loaned musical instruments and the band room for practice.
Many thanks as well to Doug Hartley 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.
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 Penny, Pam, Kathryn, Pam Winkle and the footy club for providing an excellent meal and venue and Rod Edwards for his first hand account of walking the Kokoka Track. Most enjoyable.
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 Saturday, 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 Sacrifice” was well received by all.
A lot of people contribute to the success of the day and thanks to Kevin and Margaret Sellin 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. Dr. Paul Inglis from the Dayboro Uniting Church for a 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, the Scout group flag bearers, Kevin Taylor, Greg Miller, Jim Brock 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 everyone who attended.
It was very pleasing to have so many young people there again. The school captains from Dayboro, Emma Bennett, Jayden Hanna, Bella Ianson and Tamaheke White and Mt. Samson, Caitlin Chambers and Dylan Brown again participated in the service.
The younger generations certainly have claimed ownership of the 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
A special thanks must also go to local music teacher Alison Chambers who again volunteered her time to prepare what is now known as The Anzac Day Band. This year Allison had to juggle preparing the band and caring for her new born daughter Kimberly, but I did notice lots of Mums lining up to baby sit during band rehearsals so a big thanks to them as well.
The band numbers increased to 27 and the performance was over and above expectations as usual and appropriately included for the first time the New Zealand National Anthem.
A heartfelt community thanks for Alison and the young people who participated. They were: On flute. Daan Bevan, Daisy- May Denny, Stephanie Gilmore, Laura Greaves and Taylor Mae Hewitson-Bevis. On Clarinet. Lucie Allcock, Megan Edwards, Kodi Lake and Jordie Wagner. On Alto Saxophone. Ben McPherson and Abby-Rose Williams. On Tenor Saxophone. Lily Colmer and Jesse Easlea. On Trumpet. Lonneke Bevan, Jack Denny, Harry Thompson, Leon Battagiene, Sedelle Wagner, Callum Schneid, Courtney Smith and Gray Wagner. On Trombone. Edith Bevan and Dean Smart. On Percussion. Jeremy Lake, Rebecca Thompson and Max and Elliot Morrison-Rose.
Local young vocalist Jade Naylor also volunteered to lead the singing along with members of the combined churches choir.
Thanks also to the school who loaned musical instruments and the band room for practice.
Many thanks as well to Doug Hartley 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.
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 Penny, Pam, Kathryn, Pam Winkle and the footy club for providing an excellent meal and venue and Rod Edwards for his first hand account of walking the Kokoka Track. Most enjoyable.
Richard Hawkins
