SKIES were grey and a light shower of rain fell as the crowds came out of the darkness and into the light at the dawn service in Cowes on Thursday morning this week for another highly successful Anzac Day commemoration.
During a solemn moment at the start of the service, Phillip Island RSL Secretary Bob Woods had the honour of reading out the names of the 17 local men listed on the cenotaph, at the centre of the ceremony and the town, who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Flight Officer Tristan Garcia delivered the official address saying that we owed our happiness and way of life, in large part, to the men and women of Australia who had answered the call during war, conflict and peacekeeping missions.
“A life offered up is the greatest gift of all and today we honour all those who have worn the Australian uniform.”
He also commended the big crowd for turning out saying it was a strong statement of resilience and mateship, very much in the tradition of the Anzacs and those who had served their country in the military forces.
And in something of a tradition at these events, Newhaven College Captain Tahlia gave the community address, noting that she felt a very personal connection with the day through her great great grandfather Lieutenant Colonel Dr Henry James Williams “who was a doctor on the shores of Gallipoli on this very day in 1915” and went on to serve right through the war, to the bitter end, in France.
“As you may have noticed, affixed to the right side of my blazer are the World War 1 medals of my great great grandfather who I honour here today,” said Tahlia.
It was a poignant moment.
Callum Fisher played the bagpipes, the Newhaven College Choir, under the baton of Kerryn Lockhart, sang both the New Zealand and Australian national anthems and wreaths were laid by Christine Thomas on behalf of the Phillip Island RSL, Cr Ron Bauer on behalf of the Bass Coast Shire Council and the community, Flight Officer Tristan Garcia on behalf of the armed services and Russell Broadbent MHR on behalf of the Australian Government and the people of the Monash electorate.
President of the Phillip Island RSL Peter Paul was delighted with the turnout and the service.
“It never ceases to amaze me how many people are prepared to come out, it was great,” said Peter Paul.
“We just got away with it, didn't we,” he said in reference to the weather holding off and reports during the week that it might be wet and cold for the dawn service. No rain actually fell while the service was in progress.
