The first Anzac Day march in Wahgunyah since 2019, led by Corowa RSL Sub-branch President Martin Magill. All photos by Simon Ginns.
Students, veterans, ADF members, volunteers and families of descendants proudly marching down Foord Street was a welcome sign of normality for Wahgunyah residents as they commemorated Anzac Day on Monday, April 25.
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Hosted by the Wahgunyah Progress Association and coordinated by the Corowa RSL Sub-branch, almost 200 people gathered in and around Memorial Park to remember the brave men and women who served their country.
It was the largest crowd in over two years after the COVID-19 pandemic heavily disrupted the 2020 and 2021 commemorations.
Almost 200 Wahgunyah residents joined the parade including veterans, past and present ADF members, family descendants and students.
Students from Wahgunyah Primary School once again played a major role in the proceedings, confirming the spirit of Anzac Day would continue with the younger generation.
The Prologue was delivered beautifully by School Captains Stevie Kirk and Jayden French.
“Today, we gather to honour those who were residents of Wahgunyah and whose names are embossed on this cenotaph because they made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom.
“We also remember those whom we do not know but who gave their lives so that we may be free to gather here today. Like our young men, their final resting places are spread across the world… all remembered and honoured by people whose freedom they restored.
“We remember also those men and women who left their homes with the same dedication and selflessness and who returned, many of them bearing mental and physical scars.”
This year marked 107 years since Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on Turkey's Gallipoli Peninsula during World War I.
Sing Australia performed the Recessional before the Anzac Day Address and the National Anthem at the conclusion of the commemoration.
Wahgunyah School Captains Jayden French and Stevie Kirk delivering the Anzac Day Prologue with Wahgunyah Progress Association’s Alan Pleitner proudly watching on.
Mr Ben Ray made a poignant address highlighting Wahgunyah soldier James Duncan McMillan who enlisted in the army in October 1914 and was killed in action in France on March 22, 1918.
Following Mr Ray’s address, floral tributes were placed on the cenotaph and bugler Joanne Howe played “The Last Post” followed by a Minute’s Silence, the ‘Reveille’ and the singing of the National Anthem.
Corowa RSL Sub-branch President Martin Magill presented books to the children of Wahgunyah Primary School.
Mr Alan Pleitner thanked the Corowa RSL Sub-branch for their assistance and bugler Joanne Howe and Sing Australia for their contribution, as well as Indigo Shire Mayor Bernard Gaffney and the large Wahgunyah crowd for attending.
A great turnout for the Wahgunyah Anzac Day commemoration.
