Guest speaker Cyril (Coxy) Cox delivering his interesting and thought-provoking address.
This year’s increased Army School Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME) Bandiana presence was part of an estimated 600 people and what is believed to be a record crowd for a Rutherglen Anzac Day, on Monday.
Rutherglen High School co-captains Joe Brooks (speaking) and Riley Welsh delivered outstanding speeches.
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Rutherglen RSL Sub-Branch President Craig Williams, Master of Ceremonies David Martin OAM and long-time local identity Ken Jasper AO agreed the 75-minute service from 8.55am produced a record crowd by Rutherglen and district people; the 5.55am Dawn Service was big too, with some 300 attendees.
Coming into service in 2020, this Hawkeye from Bandiana had heads turning. Pictured in front of the armoured vehicle were David Martin OAM, Rutherglen RSL Sub-Branch President Craig Williams and Warrant Officer Class 2 Cheyne Truelove from ASEME Bandiana.
“It’s a magnificent turn-out,” MC Mr Martin told the big, main service crowd in the beautifully maintained Rutherglen Memorial Gardens.
“Congratulations to the community of Rutherglen for your support,” he said.
Students from Rutherglen Primary School and High Schools, St Mary’s Primary School, Cathedral College Wangaratta, Rutherglen Kindergarten and other Youth Groups laid wreaths at the Memorial, along with Rutherglen Primary School with Peace Flame.
“Over 500,000 Australians paid the supreme sacrifice in defence of Australia.”
Mr Williams formally welcomed all saying that we especially remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The start of Anzac Day Rutherglen’s big march, led by Major Stewart Dawes, in Main Street which moved up High Street and into the Rutherglen Memorial Gardens. The Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME) from Bandiana was a wonderful, number-boosting addition.
“We do this on this day as it is the anniversary of when Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on the beach at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.
The three clergy who officiated, from left, Rev. Graeme Wells (St Andrew’s Uniting Church), Fr. Brian Carey (St Mary’s Catholic Church) and Rev. Cannon Scott Jessup (St Stephens Anglican Church) singing Abide By Me.
“The Australian and New Zealand Arms Corp displayed great courage, endurance, initiative, discipline and mateship, and this is what is known as the Anzac Spirit.”
Special guest speaker was Cyril Cox from Rutherglen coffee shop ‘The Other Place’ who was introduced to military history through his employment as a Security Risk Assessor with the Australian Government for 12 years.
Popularly known as ‘Coxy’, he travelled extensively through Turkey and France, preparing for ANZAC Day Commemorations in these countries.
Included in his address, which posed two questions, follows. “The memory of my first visit to Gallipoli are vivid. It is such an inhospitable landscape, of high peaks and deep valleys, littered with 300 cemeteries and graves of so many young soldiers. A place of great contrast, tough, rugged terrain but also beautifully maintained Commonwealth and Turkish Cemeteries. Boys from all corners of the globe, not least the Australians, so young, so many brothers buried beside each other and the indelible scars that this battle left on all Australians.
Rutherglen RSL Sub-Branch President Craig Williams delivering his address.
“When I first travelled to the battlegrounds on the Gallipoli Peninsula, I was somewhat astonished to learn that it wasn’t only the Australian and New Zealand Soldiers who served the Empire alongside the British. I never learnt that at school.
“The Great or First World War of 1913-1918 was when over 310,000 Australians embarked from a population of only 4.6 million people. During this war, 8709 Australians lost their lives on the battlefield on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
“We have all heard of the bond between Australians and New Zealanders, and that bond has never been questioned. However, delve into the records and you will soon realize the ANZACS and the soldiers from India, also formed great mateship, respect and appreciation at Gallipoli from the day they arrived. They fought together, were wounded and died together.
“1,358 Indian soldiers died during the Gallipoli Campaign. Yet we rarely hear of their involvement or the involvement of other countries, like Canada, South Africa and France or their association with the ANZACS at Gallipoli.
“The Great War continued for several years after the Gallipoli campaign, particularly in the north of France; 46,000 Australians lost their lives. Remarkably to this day 18,000 Australians have no know grave. Will we ever locate the graves of our missing soldiers on the western front?
“My understanding of the posed questions is that research continues, across Turkey and France to locate, and then identify all human remains. The research is being conducted with the assistance of the Australian, French and British governments.
“Today I would like you all to reflect on how we can remember those 18,000 soldiers who lie buried and otherwise in unmarked graves in France alone and think about their descendants from the Great War. Also, to remember the Indian soldiers who fought so bravely and assisted our boys. We also remember all of our lost men and woman of all wars.”
Coxy’s speech was described as “very interesting” by Mr Williams who added: “I’ve learnt a few things from you.”
Two other excellent addresses by locals were given by the co-captains of Rutherglen High School, Joe Brooks and Riley Welsh who spoke of their pride and honour in celebrating Anzac Day, and what the efforts of all those who went to war has meant. Huge applause followed.
As a result of their much-learned addresses, Mr Martin said: “The future in commemorations of Anzac Day is very strong.”
The day’s organisers were delighted to welcome the larger Bandiana presence of 37 soldiers, the Catafalque Party and Bugler Captain Harrison Fairbairn.
Mr Williams named and expressed a sincere thank you to all the organisations and individuals “for continuing to make this day very special”. He issued particular thanks to the RSL Ladies Auxiliary’s handful of members in respect of refreshments for Anzac Day attendees in the Memorial Hall, describing their work as “fantastic” in doing “an absolutely amazing job”.
Some 101,300 Australians have lost their lives in war so we can live the lives we lead today. Their actions and bravery should never be forgotten. Lest we forget.
Next week’s edition of The Free Press will follow on from the comment by Mr Martin after the addresses by the Rutherglen High School co-captains: “The future in commemorations of Anzac Day is very strong.”
