ON the 111th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, the Karuah Memorial Park was covered by a light fog before sunrise as the Karuah RSL sub-Branch welcomed more than 350 community members to a traditional Dawn Service.
“[We] thank them (community members) for their attendance and their ANZAC spirit as they paid their respects to the fallen and to the servicemen and women who sacrificed so much for our community,” said sub-Branch member Robert (Flash) Whiteman.
Prayers to the King, nation and the fallen were delivered by sub-Branch members, with moments of poignant silence only broken by birds singing their appreciation for remembrance.
Port Stephens Deputy Mayor Chris Doohan addressed the Dawn Service, thanking both former and current members of the Australian Defence Force for their service.
Following the Dawn Service the community attended a traditional Anzac Day breakfast in the Karuah RSL Club.
At 9am the community gathered again for an Anzac Day march led by Rural Fire Service and ex-military vehicles.
Current and ex-service personnel, local school students, sporting groups and members of the community followed national and service flags held aloft in guardianship by the Port Stephens Military Brotherhood Motorcycle Club, members of the Karuah sub-Branch.
The march concluded in front of the RSL Club, where over 300 people gathered to commemorate the contributions of the community and local families in times of war and service.
An Acknowledgement of Country was delivered by students from Karuah Public School, before RSL Club vice president Lukas Woolley delivered an emotional address about his time in the military.
“He spoke from when he joined as a 17-year-old, his experiences deployed overseas, and his return as a man who had seen and experienced so much but thanked his community for their support upon his return,” Mr Whiteman told NOTA.
“After the Families and Community Service, all again were invited to the RSL Club for lunch and reflection among good friends.
“The community showed great support for the commitments of the past and for the continued work of our current serving men and women of the Australian Defence Force.
“Lest we forget.”
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