ANZAC Day - 2008

The Adelaide March
Right-Left-Right-Left

Frank Owen

ANZAC Day in Adelaide

Our ANZAC Commemorations started on Sunday 20th April with the traditional (for South Australia) ANZAC Commemorative Service. Since 1927, the previously known City of Glenelg Band has been playing at the service - in recent years it has been renamed the Glenelg Brass Band but the tradition continues. On the 20th, a little over 100 members and friends were in attendance, including 33 'old soldiers, sailors and airmen', ranging from WW2 through to Korea, Malaya and Vietnam veterans and a few who had recently qualified for the Defence Service Medal, who marched into the hall accompanied by the band to enjoy a delightful service. This was followed by a lavish afternoon tea prepared by the ladies of our Women's Auxiliary and the odd refreshment sold over the bar.

Again traditionally, we split the collection between the Salvo's Red Shield Appeal and one of the Cadet Units located within the area, this time 619 Squadron AAC, assisting a young cadet whose mother has just had a stroke, to go on a trip to Canberra.

We also sponsor a Youth Vigil over the 24/25 April. About 150 members of 8 youth organisations form a Vigil around our local Memorial, being relieved by a Catafalque Party comprising cadets from the three services when the Dawn Service commences. At the start of the Youth Vigil 'Hat Laying, Ceremony', we dedicated a Memorial Plinth to the Korean War veterans.

Our Dawn Service started at 6.00am. We were expecting a large attendance as we estimated that there were about 5,000 present last year. According to the Police, we had between 6,500 and 7,000. The service went off very well and I believe that Ollie Wauer will concur with the quality of the Service if not the numbers. All I know is that the Police had to block off two lanes of Main South Road and all the West bound traffic on Flaxmill Road for the duration of the service.

Afterwards, all present were invited back to the Sub-Branch for a 'Gunfire Breakfast' prepared by the Noarlunga Rotary Club, they served up in excess of 300 breakfasts consisting of scrambled eggs, bacon and chippolatas.

I left for the March in the city at about 8.30, to be greeted and harangued by my mate Bob Killoran but can't recall seeing any other 106ers in our group.