“It was like the soldiers were there,” says Tricia Mack of the scene that marked the unveiling and dedication of a commemorative cenotaph in the historic village of Murringo last weekend.
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“The sun was streaming down, throwing shards of light across a rainbow,” she said, “it was an incredibly beautiful and moving sight.”
The magnificent memorial, unveiled by federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor, lists the names of those from Murringo who served in the First World War. The same soldiers who 98 years earlier - to the day - assembled at Murringo’s supper room before they departed for foreign shores.
The result of efforts by the community and Young RSL, the striking monument was built especially to mark the 100th year since the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli and, again, will be the centrepiece of Anzac Day celebrations on April 25.
The event was not only marked with speeches and prayer, but a visit by a HMAS Albatross 723 Squadron helicopter which flew in and over the 200 assembled people, landing in a nearby paddock.
And it was into the public telephone box for pilot Lieutenant Sam Taylor-Burdon (right) who had to call into Nowra to notify his squadron leader they had arrived.
“Because mobile phones don’t work out here, Sam had to ask if there was a public phone he could call his arrival in to, otherwise they would have sent out a search party,” Tricia said.
The two lieutenants proved a hit with the younger generation who, says Tricia, just kept staring at them.
Members of the Lighthorse Brigade were also in attendance as were several dignitaries - John Walker, Young’s mayor and president of the RSL; Kaelene Neville of the Murringo Community Association; Father Allen Crowe and the Reverend John Thomas; Carol Hewson - who recited a local poem; and Young’s Cadet Corps.
Ninety-year-old Eric Lowe travelled from Young to pay tribute to his uncle, Private Walter Lowe.
Mr Lowe was asked to lay a small wooden cross at the base of the cenotaph. The cross was among 36 laid with the wreaths that day by assembled family members and members of the public.
“That was the most moving part of the day I think,” said Tricia.
The crosses have been collected and will be buried in a time capsule later in the year.
Morning tea afforded those present the opportunity to view the World War One display painstakingly created by Tricia and a team of volunteers with the help of many friends in the local community - among them Major Phil Mitchell who erected a camp tent, the Young Theatre Company who donated replica guns, and Young Shire Council with their sandbags.
“People said they coundn’t believe how realistic it looked,” Tricia said.
