Friday 25 April 2014

Anzac Day

Mick and I usually attend the Dawn Service in Bathurst on Anzac Day.

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However, this morning we attended the Dawn Gathering in a paddock at O’Connell.  There was quite a sizable number of locals up nice and early.

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O’Connell has only been having a gathering for the past few years.  The momentum to start was the efforts of the local community to save the Memorial Avenue of Trees.

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They line the main road from Bathurst to Oberon through the village and there was a big push a few years ago to have them removed to widen the road.  Due to the locals’ efforts this did not happen and the trees have been saved.

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Back to this morning.

We all met around a flagpole.  In true country style, it consists of a long stick with an old electrical insulator on top.  It is fully functional to raise and lower the flag.

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Around the flagpole was a semicircle of banners, each with the surname of a local family who had someone serve in WW1.  Like all communities, not all returned.  Many of the names are still familiar in the district.

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It was a lovely way to commemorate the significant events of 99 years ago. 

It was also a special day for me, as for the first time I opened the little box that came to me from Dad.

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I wore his miniature medals with pride. 

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4 comments:

creations.1 said...

What a lovely setting for your Anzac Service - and more special with your dad's medals!!

Anonymous said...

That is so special Janice,lovely post.xx

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

A Special Day Janice....

loulee said...

A special day indeed.
We did dawn service at the Timaru Cenotaph.