ANZAC Day Churchill 2024

The forecast was for clearing rain, but early in the day there were showers and then drizzle patches. Early morning texts and phone calls queried whether it was fine enough for outside or whether the service would have to go indoors. Sunshine patches gave hope and that was enough to set up outside and proceed. The weather held off mostly until later after the service when people were enjoying the Churchill Lions’ Gunfire Breakfast and the Rotary ladies ANZAC biscuits and cuppas.

Latrobe Brass Band set up under a gazebo and played hymns and other appropriate music before the service began.

Richard Henshaw of the Rotary Club of Hazelwood opened the service with an acknowledgement of country. He welcomed Melissa Ferguson Latrobe City Council South Ward Councillor. Latrobe Brass Band, Churchill Lions, Sue Townsend, and the Rotary Club were thanked for attending and helping to make the event special.

Don George and Peter Townsend were then introduced to MC the service. Peter read the Requiem. Heather Beaton of the Rotary Club called for the wreaths to be laid.

The Aero Club flyover of three planes was a special addition to the occasion.

Doris Paton and Christine Johnson Aboriginal elders of our community gave a welcome to country.

Don George, as guest speaker spoke about his time serving in the Navy. He grew up in Queensland and became a sailor in his teens. He joined up and served for many years. On return home he found he was different and it was hard to fit in again, but he succeeded.

Melissa Ferguson, saying it was a privilege to have the honour of being asked, introduced the leaders of our schools to tell those gathered what ANZAC Day meant to them.

Here follows what they said.

Kurnai College Junior Campus.

Claire

“ANZAC Day for me is a day to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions, particularly during World War I.

ANZAC Day allows people to remember and commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in service to their countries. It's a solemn occasion to reflect on the human cost of war and the ultimate sacrifice made by many. It plays a crucial role in shaping the national identity of Australia and New Zealand. It highlights values such as mateship, courage, resilience, and service to the nation, which are considered integral to the collective identity of both countries. ANZAC Day brings communities together through ceremonies, marches, and other commemorative events. It provides an opportunity for people to come together, pay their respects, and support veterans and their families, and also serves as an educational opportunity for younger generations to learn about the significance of war, the experiences of those who served, and the importance of peace and remembrance.

ANZAC Day holds deep cultural, historical, and emotional significance for Australians and New Zealanders, serving as a time for reflection, remembrance, and gratitude.”

Harry.

“Today marks the day that 16,000 stepped foot on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25, 1915 with a mission to fight for our country. Less than half of these men returned from the Gallipoli Campaign. Today is a day of loss, but more importantly, a day of gratitude, a day of remembrance and a day of celebration for the sacrifices they made for our prosperity. Their hard work and their bravery has forever shaped our beautiful county of Australia.”

Arabella

“Today we gather to commemorate ANZAC Day, a day of great significance for Australia and New Zealand. ANZAC Day allows us to recognise the heroic sacrifice of our soldiers who fought in the war, particularly during the Gallipoli Campaign. These soldiers, renowned as the ANZACs, displayed incredible courage in the face of adversity. Their actions remind us of the importance of bravery, fellowship and sacrifices.

In addition, we pay tribute to the hardworking and committed soldiers who serve our country today, in the same manner as the ANZACs.

ANZAC Day is not just about the past, it’s also about preserving the bravery and solidarity that the ANZACs embodied. So, as we gather today let us honour the ANZACs by living lives of courage, compassion and unity. Let us remember their sacrifices and strive to make our world a better place in their memory. Lest we forget.”

Churchill North Primary School

Liam and Holly

“We stand here today for the acknowledgement of the traditional Owners of the Country that we are on, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

Today, along with Australians everywhere, we gather to remember those who have served to defend Australia. We do this because it is the anniversary of the day when Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on the beach at Gallipoli. Australians at Gallipoli came from all sorts of backgrounds, but they all shared the terrible experience of war.

Towards the end of the ceremony today, the Last Post will be played on a bugle. This historic music was played in army camps to announce the end of the day, a time when soldiers should be resting. The Last Post is played today for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It means that they have done their duty and are now at rest.

Today is a time to think about those who have served in Australia's armed forces, those who continue to serve, and about those who have lost their lives. Thank you.”

Churchill Primary School.

Lucas

“ANZAC Day falls on April 25, which on this day we pay our respects to those who fought so bravely to protect our country in World War 1. On this day you can show respect by making ANZAC biscuits, wearing a pin or poppy and wearing a medal from a relative who fought in the war. ANZAC comes from the name Australian and New Zealand Amy Corps.”

Loretta

“ In 1915, the ANZACs along with other nations fought at Gallipoli. Even though more than 100 years has passed, the Australian and New Zealand people still gather to honour the original ANZACs and all who have worn our country’s uniform, including those who are currently serving. The actions of the soldiers in Gallipoli who followed orders and faced dangers forged what is known as the ANZAC Spirit. The ANZAC Spirit can mean purpose, acceptance of responsibility, compassion and unselfishness. In our own lives, we can adopt the ANZAC Spirit by taking responsibility for everything we do, and face tasks with resilience no matter the difficulties we might face.”

Lumen Christi.

Isobel.

“What ANZAC Day means to me is that all my friends and my wonderful community come together to commemorate our ANZACs in ceremony. I stand with my Poppy Stevo and I listen to the stories about what the ANZACs went through and sacrificed, then we lay a wreath together.

After the ceremony, we always have an amazing brekkie and then we play a big game of tag while we wait for the RAAF planes to fly overhead. My generation is lucky that we don’t really understand the real meaning of ANZAC Day because that is what they fought for so that we could never know the pain they went though.”

Addisen

“ANZAC Day is the day where we all just stop and think about those men and women, old and young who lost their lives fighting for us and our country. Most importantly these people were brave enough to risk their lives for ours. That’s what ANZAC Day means to me.”

Alice

“I am thankful of those who went to war, not knowing if they would return home. I thank those who did the fighting for our country and also those who came back wounded.

I am proud of the ANZACs and the armed forces for how they fought for freedom and protection of our country and for the free world. In conclusion, we should all be grateful for those men and women who have protected us and continue to protect us all. Lest we forget.”

Macen

“What ANZAC Day means to me:

 Today is an important day for me and for all of us here because it’s about remembering the brave soldiers who fought for our country.

 By being here this morning, we show our respect and gratitude for their courage and sacrifice.

 Their sacrifice means we are able to enjoy peaceful lives in this country.

 I get to attend school and enjoy things like sports because of the freedom that others made possible for me all those years ago.

 Thank you to all who have attended today. Let’s honour those heroes by sharing their stories and thinking about what their sacrifice means for us.”

Cathie Halliwell from the Co-Operating Churches of Churchill, Boolarra, Yinnar brought meaningful, appropriate prayers for peace.

The National Anthem was sung with Sue leading. The Ode to the Fallen was recited. Then the traditional Last Post, minute’s silent tribute and Reveille with bugler Joseph Bonnici.

The service ended with a dismissal and appreciation to those who helped make the day special. An invitation to breakfast provide by the Lions was readily taken up.