2.30pm UPDATE: What Anzac Day means to those in Young.
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2.pm UPDATE:
Due to the rain RSL Sub-branch president John Walker changed the venue of the 11 am Memorial Service from Anderson Park to the Young Town Hall and the traditional Anzac Day march was called off.
Mr Walker said he was concerned for the welfare of some of the elderly participants.
“We assessed the risk and with the benefit of long range weather forecasts we decided to cancel the march and hold the service indoors,” he said.
“We could not put any of the marcher’s in danger, the route was very wet and if someone slipped and fell it would have spoiled the day.
“Judging by the size of the turnout in the hall I think it is fair to say the public supported the move.”
9.00 am UPDATE: The weather may have been grim but that didn’t stop a large group of Young residents from paying their respects at Town Hall early on Tuesday morning at the Anzac Day Dawn Service.
There was a big turn out for the poignant service that began at 6 am with rain coming down.
Though the rain poured, residents came out in support to attend the service before many headed towards the Young Services Club to attend a breakfast.
6.30 am UPDATE: RSL Sub-branch president Mr John Walker said the 11 am Memorial Service will be held at Young Town Hall and due to the weather the preceding march will be called off.
Young RSL sub-branch president John Walker is expecting more than 100 diggers to march or participate in Anzac Day activities in town today.
The streets of Young will be lined with people gathered to pay their respects to diggers from all conflicts.
Mr Walker said now more than ever it is important Australians commemorate Anzac Day and the mateship diggers forged in harrowing circumstances.
“I think mateship and team work are key words,” he said.
“Mateship and teamwork have made Australia strong, just look at how we as people respond when there is a flood or a bushfire.
“It was the ANZAC’s that demonstrated mateship and teamwork in a defining way.”
Mr Walker said Anzac Day should not be thought of solely in terms of loss.
“The Anzac spirit is also about pledging the core of courage, endurance, duty and love of country that diggers hold so dear,” he said.
“We all understand mateship and good humour and the survival of self-worth and decency the diggers displayed in the face of dreadful odds. We can show our appreciation not just through remembering and honouring them, but to committing to their Anzac values defined in mateship and teamwork and a fair go for all.
“As we reflect today on all the conflicts and peacekeeping missions in which Australians have been involved and the many incredibly dangerous situations faced by our defence forces, mateship is the one thing that stands out.”
Mr Walker said the Anzac Day parade will be led by school army cadets followed by veterans and the town band.
“I am also very pleased that a veterans motorcycle club will be in this year’s procession,” he said.
School children from all Young schools will also march to pay their respects. “I think it is great to see the schools participating, they really demonstrate pride in country,” Mr Walker said.
It was the ANZAC’s that demonstrated mateship and teamwork in a defining way.
- John Walker