General News
2 May, 2024
We will remember them
CROWDS gathered in solemn commemoration of those who made the ultimate sacrifice during last week’s Anzac Day services across the region.
Services were held in Noorat, Ellerslie, Terang and Mortlake last Thursday morning, with large crowds gathering to pay their respects.
Terang Returned and Services League (RSL)sub-branch president Terry Fidge said the busy scheduled organised by members, many of whom began their day at the RSL Hall from 4am, had been a “huge success”.
“A large crowd turned up for the dawn service; standing up on the tram decking to deliver the service, I could see the silhouettes of so many,” he said.
“The service went very well, followed by a gunfire breakfast with a lot of people staying around for tea and coffee, and to have a look at our vast memorabilia display.
“At 10am we had a service at the hall with our guest speaker, Deacon Kaye Hanks from Cobden, and other various speakers including Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur.
“This was followed by our march to the monument and subsequent service, where we had our guest speakers Meg and Damian Lenehan, who spoke about their experience on the Kokoda Trail.”
Mr Fidge, a Vietnam veteran, thanked the wider community for paying its respects.
“The day was very well supported by the Terang and district community, which we’re very grateful for,” he said.
“There was a large display of wreaths laid at the obelisk, probably the largest display I’ve seen in many years.
“The community have got right behind supporting us, which we truly appreciate.”
During the service, Mr Fidge drew attention to the origins of The Last Post, one-minute silence and the playing of Reveille – and why these traditions are still observed to this day.
“It all goes back to World War One during a British initiation when The Last Post was played at the end of the day to signify the end of fighting for the day, to retire and rest,” he said.
“For those wounded soldiers on the trenches, it gave them the direction to head back to their own lines.
“The one-minute silence was for those soldiers to reflect on the day’s activities, and think of those who did not make it back to their lines at the end of the day.
“Reveille is the dawn of a new day, a time to raise the flags to full mast and signify the beginning of the day’s activities.”
Mortlake Returned and Services League sub-branch began its morning with a service in Ellerslie, which president Merv Hampson said was well attended.
“There was over 50 people there,” he said.
“It was a good roll up and the weather was kind to us.”
Following the Ellerslie service, hundreds gathered in Mortlake to watch the march down Dunlop Street to the memorial.
“We had a good crowd in the main street, a very good march and a big crowd at the service, and then the public came up to our hall for morning tea.
“We were really pleased.
“Our badge sales have been extraordinary, and during our Anzac service we raised over $860 rattling the tins which will be donated to Legacy.”
During the service, Mr Hampson spoke about the trauma prisoners of war endured at the hands of the Japanese.
“I related a story which was written by a young lass at school in Ballarat, which was how her grandfather had suffered,” he said.
In addition, Mr Hampson and fellow Mortlake RSL members visited Aberlea last Friday morning to deliver a service for the residents who could not be in attendance on the day.
“Aberlea really appreciate us going up there, and so to do the residents,” he said.
