Rutherglen High School captains Mia Reeves and Ryley Hayes (speaking); also pictured are Master of Ceremonies David Martin OAM and Rutherglen RSL Sub Branch President Craig Williams.
With its human qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice, the spirit of ANZAC Day continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.
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“This is why we choose to commemorate,” guest speaker Lieutenant Colonel Tim Soper told an estimated 400 people at the Rutherglen RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day commemorations 2023 in the Memorial Gardens on Tuesday.
Stationed at the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla, Lieutenant Colonel Soper said ANZAC Day was first commemorated a year after the action it marked, as a reminder of those buried afield and of the practical obligation to care for those who returned.
“Today, ANZAC Day goes beyond the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. It is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations,” he said.
“Those who participated in and supported the Gallipoli landing knew two things firstly they had a job to do and secondly, they could only depend on their mates. Many Australian soldiers were responsible for extraordinary acts of courage. It is the capacity of ordinary people to do extraordinary things in extreme circumstances – to fight harder, to march longer, to dig deeper, to care for wounded mates no matter what the personal imposition – that define the ANZAC spirit.”
Guest speaker Lieutenant Colonel Tim Soper delivering his Anzac Day address which included praising Rutherglen RSL Sub Branch.
Regarding ANZACS who returned, Lieutenant Colonel Soper mentioned that part of our reverence for them is that somehow they endured. “Beyond personal determination, their ability to endure, just like veterans of today, is in large part attributable to the support of mates, families and communities,” he said.
“This support has led to action here in Rutherglen through the extraordinary efforts of local veterans and your RSL.”
Lieutenant Colonel Soper, who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, was referring to pursuance from Rutherglen to have marked graves, citing the example of Rutherglen’s Private Gustavus William Lundgren, who served in France, suffered greatly but never had his grave marked because his family could not afford to mark the grave. In 2016 his grave, at Carly Cemetery, was marked.
Rutherglen Primary School Dusty Seymour and Logan Hurley about to place the Peace Flame, a symbol of eternal life. The Flame of Remembrance at the Anzac Memorial burns to symbolise the gratitude of the Australian people to those who gave their lives in the service of our country in time of war.
“Your community and your RSL corrected this tragic fact and your reverence continues to this day in ongoing efforts to identify and appropriately lay to rest this fallen during and after the Great War,” he said.
Rutherglen High School captains Mia Reeves and Ryley Hayes shared the perception their generation has of ANZAC Day: “ANZAC Day is a significant day of remembrance for Australians and New Zealanders, commemorating the anniversary of the first major conjoined military operation fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War 1,” Ryley said.
“For our generation, ANZAC Day represents the important opportunity to learn about our Australian and New Zealand history, as well as learning of the sacrifices made by our ancestors, and the lessons of important values such as courage, loyalty and selflessness,” Mia said.
Ryley recalled attending dawn services and marching. “It always stood out as a significant event,” he said. “But the best part was when we would gather in our town hall and watch a presentation of the local heroes who were part of the ANZAC Corps and getting to learn about the ANZACS on a more personal level.”
Master of Ceremonies David Martin OAM was thrilled with the ANZAC Day service, opening with the words “it’s a beautiful day, a beautiful venue and a great group of people” and concluding with “the ANZAC spirit hasn’t gone, with big numbers for this commemoration which must be maintained”. “Today’s numbers and involvement by so many students from all the local schools and some from Wangaratta is a signal to me that we’re in good hands for the future.”
Rutherglen’s big Main Street march was led by horse riders from the local area.
Rutherglen RSL Sub-Branch President Craig Williams “We must continue to maintain their sense of commitment, courage and perseverance to get through the tough times and the need for us to look after each other is probably greater now than at any other time in the past.”
Mr Williams was pleased with the number who attended the main service, also the dawn service attracting some 250 people with an estimated 150 staying for breakfast and he expressed a ‘thank you’ to so many people and organisations, including the Rutherglen Women’s Auxiliary, for making the day run so smoothly.
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