Hundreds of men, women and children gathered in Corowa on Sunday to commemorate Anzac Day 2021.
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Rising before the sun, around 300 people braved the cold to remember the fallen at a poignant Dawn service held at the Corowa Monument at 5:45am.
Residents’ young and old stood silently, heads bowed as the tragic cost of war was remembered. A special tribute was made to the nurses and orderlies of the defence force often regarded the “forgotten” heroes. The sombre affair was led by RSL sub-branch president Martin Magill.
At the 11am Commemoration Service, a large crowd gathered once again under glorious Autumn skies.
“As I look around today, it is pleasing to see such a great gathering to help us honour our Australian Defence Forces both past and present, and to pay homage to those who fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy today. Let us not forget their sacrifice,” Mr Magill said in his opening address.
“Those who fought for freedom have a taste the protected will never know. This is why services and reunions like this are so important to those of us who have returned.
“It is also important in the true Anzac spirt, that we remember those who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom and reflect on all those who have gone away to serve this country.
“All gave some, but some gave all.”
The touching service was conducted impeccably once again by the captains of Corowa High School Rebecca Upton who delivered the prologue, Master of Ceremonies Darcy Griffin, Angela Craft and Maxim Blockley.
In delivering the Anzac Day Oration, Angela Craft spoke of WW1 Coreen hero, Private Albert Henri Menere who was killed in battle in 1917. For his services, he received the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
“Through the celebrations of Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, Corowa is still, and always will be, impacted by the soldiers gone before use. Even the impact of Albert’s family on Corowa can be seen today. The Motel Menere’s on Federation Avenue was named after his family who owned the original Pastoral Hotel before it was renamed,” Angela told the crowd.
“Commemorating, paying our respects and discovering the stories of our current and past service men and women is not only an essential part of our small community, but also part of our national story.”
The Anzac Day address was delivered by special guest Royal Australian Navy Captain Michael Sander who flew from Canberra to be part of the Corowa services.
“Today as we honour the sacrifices of the first Anzacs, we also acknowledge those who have followed in the Anzac tradition from WW2 to Boer, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. These people have offered themselves in the service of our nation and in the service of peace and justice,” Captain Sander said.
“Today we show our respect for service and we reflect on those qualities which make us finer as individuals and greater as a nation.
“It is also important to remember and hoour the friends and families of those who served. They supported and loved them and for many, their loss is enduring.
“On Anzac Day, we take pride in their efforts and character and most importantly remember their sacrifice. They were ordinary Australians that did extraordinary things.”
The presentation of floral wreaths on the monument followed Captain Sander’s speech.
Bugler Joanne Howe played ‘The Last Post’ followed by a Minute’s Silence, the ‘Reveille’ and a beautiful “Benediction” by Reverend David Sloane.
Members of the Sing Australia Choir performed the ‘Abide With Me’ hymn followed by the National Anthem.
A special book presentation was made to students of Corowa High School, Corowa Public School, Corowa South Public School, St Mary’s Corowa, and Lowesdale Public School.
In his closing address, Martin Magill remarked that future Anzac Day services were in good hands.
“As a community, we can be thoroughly proud of the students at Corowa High School. In years to come, when the sub-branch is no more, the high school taking up the torch to run Anzac Day and Remembrance which means commemoration of both days will not be forgotten,” he said.
As the Catafalque Party dismounted and marched away, they were farewelled with a rapturous applause from the crowd. While many of the members of the Catafalque Party were still new to the defence force, they displayed incredible unwavering discipline as the sun beamed down over the one-and-a-half-hour service. One of the individuals was former Corowa local Joseph Pollock.
Mr Magill said it was pleasing to see a strong turnout from the community.
“The community have accepted the changes and embraced the true spirit of Anzac Day. While there was no march this year, it is something we can all look forward to next year,” he told The Free Press.
It comes 12 months on since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic which saw services across the country cancelled and people gathering in their driveways and front yards to remember the fallen.
Wahgunyah: Memorial Park’s intimate service- Wahgunyah (corowafreepress.com.au)
Rutherglen: Rutherglen’s strong Anzac spirit (corowafreepress.com.au)
Hopefield: Honouring Anzacs a different way (corowafreepress.com.au)
Southern Cross Care Corowa: Keith and Bill recognised (corowafreepress.com.au)