ANZAC Day was commemorated on Saturday 25 April by several hundred attendees at the Tea Gardens Dawn Service, and hundreds more at the 11am ceremony.
The Dawn Service, which drew potentially its largest crowd in many years, began with a symbolic landing by the Jimmys Beach Aquatic Club rowboats upon the sandy shores of Anzac Park.
The rowers then held their oars high in respectful salute as music was played, and Tea Gardens RSL sub-Branch Treasurer Terry Munright led the ceremonial schedule.
Speeches and prayers were heard from the RSL sub-Branch’s new ‘padre’, Rev. Phil Warner, whose grandfather was in Palestine in WWI and his father fought in WWII.
Hymns were led by the Myall Melodians, as were the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia, while Tea Gardens Red Cross members handed out home-baked Anzac biscuits.
A particularly glorious moment occurred just after the traditional Ode of Remembrance and one minute’s silence.
As the flag was lowered and raised for general salute, the sun rose above the eastern horizon to illuminate the clouds like flames during The Last Post, played live by bugler Bill Pool.
The Dawn Service was followed by a gunfire breakfast at the Tea Gardens Country Club, cooked by Pindimar-Tea Gardens RFS volunteers.
Special guest speaker and Vietnam veteran Peter Gurney spoke movingly of the meaning of Anzac Day.
“I speak for those who served, for those who returned bearing scars, and for those who did not return at all,” Mr Gurney said.
“We gather to remember the ANZAC spirit that shaped our nation and to honour the service that has followed in its name.
“It is not about glory, it is about ordinary people standing together in extraordinary circumstances, keeping faith with the person beside them.
“Since the early campaigns in WWI, Australians have served in WWII, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam – where I served – and in East Timor, the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
“Be not proud in arrogance but in responsibility – proud of our freedoms, our mateship, and proud of a nation worth protecting.
“Teach our children to love this country, to learn its history, to correct its wrongs and to carry forward its best qualities.
“Among those who march today are those who carry the mate they lost in their hearts and those who carry scars that never fully heal.
“Their presence is a living testament to sacrifice and to the bonds that hold us together.
“Let us be proud Australians, whether by birth or by choice, and let us teach our children why this country is worth defending and worth improving.”
“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance… Lest We Forget”
Later in the morning, local service and community groups and schools assembled along Marine Drive, ready to march to Anzac Park for the 11am ceremony.
RSL sub-Branch veterans and descendants led the way, followed by representatives from emergency services, the Surf Club, Red Cross, Lions, Tea Gardens Public School, preschool, Tea Gardens Hawks and the Myall River Junior Hawks.
The ceremony was honoured by a Catafalque Party supplied by 26 Squadron RAAF, based at Williamtown.
Although there was no local flyover for Tea Gardens this year, a RAAF jet could be heard roaring around in the distance, circling other ceremonies around the region.
Wreaths of remembrance were laid by community groups and individuals, lining the walls of the memorial.
Afterwards many attended the Tea Gardens Country Club for a lunch cooked by members of the venue’s Ladies Bowling Club.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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