Locals out in force at Loch services

THE LOCH community turned out in healthy numbers for the town’s two Anzac Day services.

Vietnam veteran Tom Loughridge led the Dawn Service, with around 80 people in attendance.

Over 100 were there for the later morning service, presided over by Cynthia Love.

The speech of Jane Ross was a highlight, with her father Bill Ross a founding member of South Gippsland Legacy, and the overall Legacy organisition currently celebrating its centenary.

“That was a highlight, hearing about what all the people did down here and the courage and feistiness of the war widows in South Gippsland,” Cynthia said.

The Wing-It Brothers sang an Anzac Day song, ‘We Will Never Forget You’.

“It was an Anzac Day song that was different from the usual suspects, which was quite nice,” Cynthia said.

She acknowledged to the ongoing commitment of Tom and Sue Loughridge who organised Loch’s commemorative services.

They also contributed another stunning wire sculpture, this time of a nurse who joined their existing soldier.

The pair set the scene for both services, with the nurse a perfect addition in a year in which the RSL paid tribute to nurses and their service during conflict.

“In the morning light, and in the evening, they were ethereal,” Cynthia said of the striking sculptures.

During the later service, Roly Jones moved attendees with his poem ‘My Salute’.

Howard Booth, who recited the Ode, was delighted with the new nurse sculpture, having known famous WWII nurse Vivian Bullwinkel who survived a Japanese massacre and went on to become matron of the Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital in Melbourne.

Howard was also pleased with the number of locals who marked Anzac Day in Loch.

“Every year it seems to grow,” he said of the attendance, with Cynthia saying it is pleasing how many young people are now involved.