The dawn service was popular with 50 intrepid attendees braving the morning chill led by Commander David Findlay.
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The 11am march and ceremony saw with well over 200 with ages ranging from one to well into their 80’s. Commander Findlay chose to give a well-researched speech on General Monash and his contribution to the course of World War I in 1918 instead of inviting a guest speaker.
The march, lead by those who served and are serving from the district, contained a large contingent of Gunning and Dalton resident students. A World War II Chev Blitz truck lead the procession driven by Yass RSL sub-branch member, Max Hedges with the vehicle part of the Yass Military Vehicle Club.
The day was warm and a patron succumbed to the heat but was ably assisted by Gunning Community Health staff on hand.
Commander Findlay asked if there were any interested in taking on his role as his advancing years was making the duties challenging.
Breadalbane Memorial Opening A Great Success
At 8am, a large crowd attended the inaugural Breadalbane Anzac Day Ceremony and dedication of the Breadalbane Memorial Wall. The memorial, originally conceived in 2014, has become a reality through the tireless efforts of Sally Mclean in her capacity as chair of the Breadalbane Hall Committee.
With generous support for community and a range of grants, the Memorial Wall was built in a style current in the period in the district. The list of names is a roll call from the area with many farming families still having descendants able to attend.
Master of ceremonies, James Bell, a descendent of Jim Bell on the memorial, lead the crowd in a full program. His brother Robert Bell assisted by reading out a section of the names dedicated on the wall.
Local NSW state member Prue Goward and an Upper Lachlan Counsellor for Breadalbane laid wreathes, and were significant contributors to the success of the project with the Upper Lachlan Shire providing the flag pole.
David Williamson from the Kangaroo March Re-enactment Committee presented a plaque to commemorate the 2015 re-enactment and remarked on the strength on then and now.
Sally McLean read “The Soul of Australia” in addition to laying a wreath on the memorial.
Guest speaker Tony Morrison, whose family donated the land on which the memorial and hall now stand, gave a detailed and comprehensive account of Australia’s contribution to World War I, noting all the campaigns and the impact of General John Monash and Australian troops during the war.
Breadalbane Public School children sang “The Last Anzac”, dedicated to the longest living Anzac Alec Campbell.
The audience joined in for “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” which was followed by the laying of the wreathes.
Then the formal Anzac Day commenced with the laying of wreaths, The Ode, the last Post, a minute’s silence, the raising of the NSW state flag, the National Anthem and closing.
A sausage sizzle was provided to round out what was a great Anzac Ceremony.