Corowa was awash with emotion and reverence as it paid tribute to the brave soldiers who served, fought and died for their country on the 108th anniversary of the first Anzacs landing at Gallipoli.
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The day began with the largest Anzac Day Dawn Service that Corowa has seen in four years. Around 400 residents gathered at the Corowa Monument at 6.00am to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers who fought for their country in various wars.
The parade up Sanger Street was well attended, with hundreds of people lining the streets to watch the march of veterans, serving soldiers, students and emergency service personnel make their way to the Monument.
More than 600 people gathered at the Corowa Monument for a moving commemoration service at 11.00am that was both sombre and inspiring, honouring the sacrifices that the Anzacs had made for their country.
Corowa High School students once again played a significant role in this year's Anzac Day commemorations, demonstrating their respect and understanding of the importance of the day.
The service was conducted by Clancy Tomlinson serving as the Master of Ceremonies and Isabel Bush delivering the Prologue.
“We are gathered here today to remember the sacrifice of our servicemen and women. They were the men and women who were willing to believe in something greater than themselves. It was their willingness to act as such and their actions in defence of our country, which gives them hero status in our society today,” Isabel said.
“We are thankful for those first ANZAC's, whose actions established the traditions, we as a nation hold so dear today. “When the time came, the sons and daughters of our ANZAC's came forward without question and accepted the responsibilities asked of them in defending their country, in World War II and in times of turmoil in Korea, Borneo, Malaysia, Vietnam and various UN campaigns and more recently, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Let us, on this day, remember the sacrifices of our brothers and sisters and recall the efforts of those who now sleep peacefully in faraway places, amid the ridges of Gallipoli, the terraced hills of Palestine, in Flanders Fields and the sands of El Alamein and the tropical forests of Kanchanburi, Karangi, New Guinea and the peaceful olive groves of Greece and Crete.”
Corowa High School’s James Frazer also delivered an excellent Anzac Day Oration, reminding the crowd of the sacrifices our own Anzacs made for their country and their lasting legacy.
“Where did we find such men? We found them where we always found them. In our towns and our villages, in our cities and streets. They are no different from you or me. They lived ordinary lives, did ordinary things, and worked an ordinary job. When the call came to do something extraordinary, the rose to the challenge and that is what we commemorate.
“When you pause and take the time to reflect today, pause with purpose and reflect on all the things we have today and the extraordinary people who made them possible for us.”
A highlight of the service was the Anzac Day address delivered by Captain Peter Dowton, Royal Australian Navy.
Captain Dowton's address was a moving tribute to the soldiers who had given their lives for their country, and he spoke about the importance of remembering their sacrifice and those who continue to do so.
“Today, we all pause across Australia reflecting on the contribution made by all of our past and present service personnel,” he said.
“There are tens of thousands of Australian headstones in immaculately kept war tribute sites across the world.
“Underneath their names are a few simple words from their families as a reminder that they will never be forgotten.
“The men and women of today’s Australian Defence Force strive daily to emulate self-sacrifice, courage and a fair go for others.
“Nearly 19,000 officers and sailors of the Royal Australian Navy made the ultimate sacrifice. For the majority of them, their grave has no headstone, and there was no burial service. Their ships sank quickly and became their eternal resting place. Today when our ships pass their location, we say our prayer and throw wreaths onto the sea above where their ships are rusting on the sea floor. We consider these sailors forever on patrol. Lest we forget.”
Following the Captain’s address, members of the community laid floral tributes at the base of the Corowa Cenotaph.
As the commemoration service drew to a close, the ‘The Last Post’ was played by renowned Corowa Bugler Joanne Howe. The crowd then stood in silence for a minute before the ‘Reveille’.
Local band the Rivereen’s Geoff Wright and Penny Reeves performed ‘We will come home/where are they now?’ which was met with a resounding applause.
Members of the Sing Australia Choir then performed ‘God Bless Australia’, and ‘We will meet again’.
The service was brought to a close with the Benediction delivered by Reverend Richard Keith.
Corowa RSL Sub-branch President Lesley Rinehart thanked the community for their attendance in her closing address, as well as the community groups who assisted with the success of the day. She acknowledged the hard work of the Corowa High School students who had conducted the service, as well as the contributions of the Sing Australia Choir, Geoff Wright and Penny Reeves and the local businesses that had supported the event.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the day, especially the Corowa High School students who conducted the Commemoration Service with such professionalism and reverence,” she said.
“It's heartening to see so many people come together to remember and honour those who have served.”