Rutherglen High School captains on centre stage, Kayla Horne and Thomas Frazier.
Following attempts to have US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy as Rutherglen’s Anzac Day guest speaker, subsequent choice Major Michelle Wyatt OAM CSM was welcomed and delivered an excellent address to the estimated 500-strong crowd last Thursday.
Pictured, from left: New Zealand National Anthem singer Mark Brown, Australian National Anthem singer Katie Hurley, Rutherglen RSL Sub Branch President Craig Williams, Anzac Requiscat deliverer, President Rutherglen RSL Ladies Auxillary Rosemary Hince, guest speaker Major Michelle Wyatt OAM, Rutherglen High School captains Tom Frazier and Kayla Horne, and Rutherglen-based Indigo Shire Councillor Roberta Horne.
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Major Wyatt, from the Australian Defence Force School of Health at Latchford Barracks at Bonegilla, said the Anzacs showed us many qualities – the ability to face challenges together and to overcome them, to put community before self, to be courageous, determined, self-reliant and strong.
Guest speaker Major Michelle Wyatt OAM CSM delivering her speech.
“We should be proud of our heritage,” she said.
“This is the spirit of Anzac; the spirit that we must pass onto future generations. We stand here today, along with thousands of others in cities and townships across New Zealand and Australia, to honour great men and women, and a great tradition.
“We gather, and shall always gather, not to glorify war but to remind ourselves that we value who we are and the freedoms we possess, and to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who contributed so much in shaping the identity of this proud nation, and those who continue to serve.”
The start of Rutherglen’s big parade from Main Street to the Memorial Garden, was the Brimin/Rutherglen horse team, led by Tristana and Danyon Williams, sons of the horse parade initiator, the late and great Ronnette Williams.
Rutherglen High School captains Kayla Horne and Thomas Frazier also delivered impressive addresses. Tom said we commemorate and pay our respects, not only to the Anzacs who fought valiantly at Gallipoli, but to any Australian or New Zealander who fought gallantly for their country.
“Anzac Day serves as a reminder of the horrible impacts of war, allowing us to reflect upon the human cost of conflict, as well as the mental anguish inflicted upon those who survived the horrors of war,” he said.
Peter Graham OAM laid a wreath at the Rutherglen Cenotaph on behalf of Rutherglen RSL Sub Branch. Mr Graham, who turns 84-years-of-age next Monday, May 6, also provided an Anzac Requiscat.
“My great grandfather served in the Second World War, he operated the rear turret of a Lancaster bomber while it flew over Germany.
“Statistically, only a quarter of bomber command left the war physically unscathed; my grandfather was one of those men.
Representatives of all the local schools laid wreaths, including Rutherglen Kindergarten.
“All of the stories I have heard about him are second-hand, as he had died before I could meet him.
“He may have died but he will never be forgotten; his stories will never die and so, in that way, he will never die.
“Anzac Day is a solemn day of remembrance but, too, is a celebration of our two nations’ values, that is Australia and New Zealand.
“It is an important opportunity to remember great men and women, to reflect on our past and present, and to work towards a peaceful and prosperous future.”
Rev’d Cannon Scott Jessup (St Stephens Anglican Church), Rev’d Graeme Wells (St Andrews Uniting Church) and Father Peter Taylor (St Mary’s Catholic Church) officiated at Rutherglen’s Anzac Day service.
Kayla said for her generation, Anzac Day represents the importance of learning about our Australian and New Zealand history.
“It is a day of reflection, commemoration and national pride, as well as learning about the sacrifices made by our ancestors, and the lessons of important values such as courage, loyalty and selflessness,” she said.
“‘Anzac Day ceremonies can be a powerful learning experience for young people, as it provides an opportunity to connect with the stories of those who served their country. It can also foster a sense of gratitude for the sacrifices made by previous generations and encourages a commitment to peace and understanding in the future.”
Rutherglen RSL Sub Branch President Craig Williams was pleased with Rutherglen’s honoring of the Anzacs, in this, the 109th anniversary of the first Anzacs landing at Gallipoli.
In Rutherglen’s beautiful Memorial Garden, about 300 people attended the 5.50am Dawn Service before the big, 9.00am service.
Mr Williams praised many people involved in the Anzac Day service including Indigo Shire parks and maintenance team, the large community attendance and this year’s on horseback leaders from Brimin and Rutherglen of the big street parade to the Memorial Garden.
It was a local identity, Ronnette Williams, who started the horses leading the parade on Anzac Day. Last Thursday’s crowd gave loud applause after Mr Williams mentioned Ronnette’s two sons Tristan and Danyon again leading the Anzac parade.
Ronnette’s contribution to Anzac Day was unique. Her horses and family have led the annual parade for over 10 years. Sadly, Ronnette passed away on April, aged 59-years, her funeral being one of the largest post Covid, with nearly 600 people in attendance.
“Thank you all for coming,” the president concluded.
