A beautiful intimate service was held at Memorial Park on Sunday as residents of Wahgunyah gathered to remember the brave men and women who served for their country.
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The 10am Commemoration Service was hosted by the Wahgunyah Progress Association. Committee member Alan Pleitner welcomed all to the Anzac Day service including Indigo Shire Councillor Bernard Gaffney and a representative on behalf of Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie.
While the ceremony was different to previous years thanks to the COVID-19 restrictions, the service was filled with plenty of emotion with the community thankful to be able to pay tribute to the soldiers past and present in-person.
The prologue was wonderfully delivered by Zoe Richey and Harper Connell of Wahgunyah Primary School.
“Today we gather to honour those who were residents of Wahgunyah and whose names are engraved on this cenotaph because they made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom and that of all mankind,” Zoe said.
“We acknowledge that this year marks the centenary of the establishment of the Royal Australian Air Force which lost 175 of its members in World War 1 and a further 9,870 members in World War 2.”
“We also remember those whom we do not know but who gave their lives so that we may be free to gather here today. Their final resting places are spread across the world, some in the jungles of the tropics, some in the oceans, many among grateful friends; all remembered and honoured by people whose freedom they restored,” Harper added.
Corowa RSL Sub-branch President Martin Magill delivered the Anzac Day address remarking that he was pleased to see a strong representation of children from Wahgunyah. After his address, he presented books to the children of Wahgunyah Primary School.
Subsequent to Mr Magill’s address, floral tributes were placed on the cenotaph. Bugler Joanne Howe played “The Last Post” followed by a Minute’s Silence, the ‘Reveille’ and the singing of the National Anthem.
Alan Pleitner thanked the community for attending giving a special mention to Wahgunyah Primary School.
“Thank you to principal Josh Reid and to our students. You have done yourselves proud,” Mr Pleitner said.
Mr Pleitner also thanked the Corowa RSL Sub-branch for their assistance, bugler Joanne Howe for her contribution, and Councillor Gaffney for attending.
“Most of all, I want to thank the relations of our fallen blokes, thank you for being so patient with me and thank you for being so considerate.”
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