June2015_DAYBORO REMEMBERS ANZAC DAY 2015
We expected big crowds at the 100 year Centenary of Anzac Dawn Service this year but the numbers were way beyond expectation with in excess of 1200 attending, many were families with very small children. First the magnificent new granite memorials were dedicated by Richard Lance. This was followed by 15 “Soldiers”, our scouts dressed in WW 1 uniform each representing one of the 15 men killed in action during WW1 and accompanied by descendants of the 15, placing poppies on the columns in a moving tribute to those who paid the Supreme Sacrifice.
The entire service was projected onto a 3metre screen, thus enabling those at the rear to be able to view the service. Alex Harvey and Sam Stubbings, both students at the Queensland Academy of Creative Industries under the guidance of Ian Flinders arranged the equipment and were responsible for the camera and lighting work required to project live feed images onto the screen. We appreciate their involvement. What was presented on Anzac Day was the culmination of almost 3 years of planning and for anyone not being able to attend the services then please take time to view the magnificent new black granite columns.
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.
A lot of people contributed 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 Margaret who spent the afternoon putting them together; Richard Lance for both very moving services; Dale Tokley and Brisbane Bus Lines for supplying the bus and Maurie Heffernan for giving his time to transport people to and from the service; Harry Thompson for the bugle calls at both services; drummer Lochlain O’Boyle; Marjorie, Trish, Joy, Carmel and Allison and all their helpers for providing the breakfast and luncheon; Ben Smith from BES Acreage & Garden Services and caretaker Ian for maintaining the gardens around the Memorial; the flag attendants; Kevin Taylor, Greg Miller, Tommy Baillie, David Pole, Neil Rowe, Bob Laing, JD, Ray Sellin, Tony Gardiner and Barry Winn; and everyone who helped set up chairs, cook breakfast, erect tents etc, and anyone 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. Thanks also to the school representatives from Dayboro and Mt. Samson schools, Georgia Hutchings, Taya Mathiesen, Rusty Russian and Lilly Weaver (Dayboro) and Jack Devlin, Bailey Dreisse, and Liam Heffernan (Mt Samson), who participated in the service. These young people are a credit to their schools and communities.
It is often asked why the day has become so important to so many. Most of the credit for this must go to our younger generations who have claimed ownership of this day and it seems more important to them than any other National day. The spirit of Anzac is certainly safe in their hands and will live on. Liana Arkell from Mt Samson school and Zyta Stewart from Dayboro school composed and recited their poems; the very talented Dayboro State School band again supplied the music for the Service; and the Dayboro Voices Choir that presented Lest We forget were exceptional. Local poet and author Russell Plunket presented his poem “It’s In Our Blood”. Special thanks also to Nadine Andersen Photography who took many great photos during the day and kept everyone informed about events via Facebook.
The number of wreaths and floral tributes increase each year and was once again very moving and the highlight of the service.
Also thanks to the Lions and in particular Ian & Sue Flinders and Dan Nugent for producing the music and for supplying and setting up the P.A. system.
As well as taking part in the Dawn Service the 15 Scouts accompanied by our Lighthorseman Malcolm and armed with the 303 replica rifles marched into position to commence the service. They were exceptional as well. The 15 rifles were made by The Dayboro Men’s shed. Thank you men for your dedication to our project. They were perfect replicas and special thanks to Graeme Mengersen who took charge of the fabrication and for looking after the rifles, bringing them to 2 dress rehearsals and delivering them to the scouts on Anzac Day morning. 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 entire Dayboro Remembers project received grants from The Federal Government “Saluting Their Service” grants; the Queensland Government Anzac Centenary Grants program; and donations were received from the Dayboro Lions, the Sheriff’s Fund, the Progress Association the Rodeo Association, the Dayboro Cowboys Junior Rugby Club, the Easlea family and the Dayboro Tennis Club. In-valuable help from Peter Dutton and his P.A. Rosemary Little helped guide our applications through the bureaucratic maze. The help received from Carmel Bond and Charlie Nolan in researching the history inscribed on the face of the Columns and for a book with history of all 50 men who enlisted from the Dayboro Districts and the help from Russell Plunkett whose knowledge, expertise and equipment was also invaluable. Thanks also Pamela Miller for her dedication and countless hours put into the Dayboro Remembers Commemoration books. The books were completely designed and produced by the War Memorial Association and are available for sale from the Dayboro Cottage.
Our appreciation and thanks also to Joanne Hohns for organizing and setting up the memorabilia display. It was tremendous. Thanks Jo and those people loaning priceless items for display.
Many people asked what type of planes flew over this year. It was of course a formation flyover and the planes were an SNJ-4 used by the American Navy during W.W.2 and known as the Harvard by the R.A.F. and a Wirraway.
The School Anzac Day service we are invited to attend each year was again very, very good. It was a credit to the teachers and especially all the kids who all showed great discipline throughout the entire service. Impressive.
The two-up at the Bowls Club was another great fun day and many thanks to Michael Flanigan from ME Property Sales for running the 2 UP. Thanks to the Bowls Club and Terry Morley for supplying the raffle prizes and also to our 2 UP players who kindly donated their losses to the War Memorial Association. The money raised will help with the upkeep of the Memorials and will be used to fund future Anzac Day and Remembrance occasions.
Twenty-two ex-servicemen and partners attended the annual Lions Diggers luncheon this year and we thank the Dayboro Lions Club for putting on this event. Thanks to Debra, Nikki, and the footy club for providing an excellent meal and venue; and Patsy Cains and George Hartnett Funerals for supplying the flowers for the tables. All ex-service personal are welcome to these luncheons, so keep it in mind for next year.
Just to finish, I found this tribute at the base of the WW1 Cenotaph. This is just as it was written. I would love to meet the young girl responsible. It goes. “Lest we forget One handred years wow that’s amazing you fort for us in war so we lay popies on your grave you fort for our contry and our freadem we will never forget you for one handred years or more” How beautiful is that.
RICHARD HAWKINS CHAIRMAN DAYBORO WAR MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
