“They (the town) participated - I could see from my position during the main service everyone was connected to the service,” Young’s mayor and Young RSL Sub-branch president John Walker said yesterday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He speaks, of course, of the two Anzac Day services held in the town on Saturday, which attracted thousands to commemorate the centenary of the landings in Gallipoli.
“Nearly all of them had a story to tell of their own family connections.”
Silence filled Boorowa Street at 6am Saturday morning as close to 1500 people gathered for the Anzac Day Centenary dawn service in Young.
Families, veterans and visitors assembled outside Town Hall, as only the voices of cadets, those conducting speeches and The Last Post echoed through the CBD.
Senator Fiona Nash, who was due to speak at the dawn service, was not present. She had been summoned to New Zealand by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
But Commander Cliff Kyle of the HMAS Albatross - a naval detachment that has become an integral part of Young’s annual commemorations - stepped up to speak in her place.
The ominous clouds and the distant sound of thunder did little to deter the estimated 2000 to 3000 more people who congregated around the town hall for the 11am march and service.
People represented many parts of the community - from ex-servicemen and women, their families, police, military, community groups and the town’s schools - many who proudly donned their relatives' medals.
The service was also widely attended by young people, determined to do their bit to ensure the Anzac spirit lived on - a trend which stood out to Mr Walker.
Mr Walker he was thrilled with the number of people who made the effort.
“It was more than we expected,” he said.
“It means that the meaning of Anzac is getting out there, especially to the younger ones who are picking up on it.”
“There was most definitely more children, at the dawn service too, which I think is absolutely wonderful,” he said.
“It’s teaching them the meaning of Anzac... and true Australianism.”
When The Last Post played, the silence was palpable.
As the service wrapped up, many lingered and chatted as generations of families proudly posed for photos.
Others made plans for the rest of the day, hoping to strike it lucky at the time-honoured tradition of two-up.
In the end it was clear, the Anzac spirit was well and truly alive in Young.
Photo galleries:
