Fantastic numbers – in their hundreds – turned out for Heyfield’s Anzac Day ceremony, which began and ended with a march.
At 9am on Tuesday, locals gathered at the Heyfield Bowls Club for a march on George St to the Heyfield Memorial Cenotaph for Anzac Day commemorations.
Heyfield RSL President Greg Mackenzie, who served approximately 50 years in the Department of Defence, introduced the proceedings, and was followed by an address by Warrant Officer Class 2 Dale Hannaford, a Heyfield local.
“We’re here not to glorify battle, or war, but remember those that have served our country,” WO2 Hannaford said.
“Anzac Day is not just merely some battle in the distant front, but it’s actually a spirit of a country. It’s a spirit of all Australians.”
WO2 Hannaford said communities such as Heyfield stepped up after “massive losses” in WW1 and WW2.
Photos: Stefan Bradley
“A lot of the jobs were then picked up by the families, the wives, the mothers of those that served. That was no less a commitment than that of those on the battlefield.”
The community were then invited to lay a wreath. Those who took part in laying a wreath at the cenotaph included: Heyfield RSL, Vietnam Veterans, Royal Australian Air Force, National Service Association, Wellington Shire Council (represented by Councillor Carmel Ripper), Mary Smith (senior citizen), Memorial Hall, Heyfield CFA, Maffra Band (who performed at the service), St Michael’s Primary School, Heyfield Primary School, Cowwarr Primary School and Nambrok-Denison Primary School.
The crowd stood for the recitation of the Ode. During the flag raising was the playing of the Last Post, after which a period of silence took place. Following this was the playing of The Rouse, and the National Anthem. The service concluded after a prayer by Robert Barnes and a closing address by Mr Mackenzie. All attendees were invited to take part in a march to Heyfield RSL for refreshments.
Mr Mackenzie told the Gippsland Times that his closing address aimed to promote peace and educate young people.
“Our Second World War veterans are just about gone. There’s only a few thousand of those,” he said.
“They tell me that by 2025 they’ll be very rare. We’ve lost all our First World War veterans, so it’s a matter of rekindling (Anzac Day) in remembrance of those people who fought before us.
“And also for the young veterans who have been in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Cr Ripper, who is also an ex-service woman who served for 20 years, including 11 years at East Sale, said to the Gippsland Times she was very pleased with the event’s turnout, in particular the youth participation.
“I hope in turn that young people look towards the defence force as a career,” Cr Ripper said.
“For those who don’t want a career in the defence force, look at a job within the community. We’re badly needing workers in all industries. I’ve spoken to two or three businesses this morning (who) can’t get workers.”
Cr Ripper said she wanted to remember all those who “worked hard for us to be here”, including those left behind at home during the war. One of those individuals was her father.
“He was 12-years-old on a farm when his father died…he was working for the effort, but he just wasn’t in uniform. Those people were just as important as those in uniform. We’re all a team,” she said.
“The ANZACs and everyone else from then and right up to now went overseas so we could have freedom in our country.
“So we need the young people to work hard for their children’s children. When we’ve got people working their minds are better and they’ve got a reason to get up in the morning.”
