Tom Parry
ONE of the biggest crowds ever turned out for Maffra’s mid-morning Anzac Day service last Tuesday.
The ceremony began in earnest at 11am with a march south along the service road on Johnson St from the rotunda to the Maffra Library.
Members of the Maffra Municipal Band – led by drum major Colin McQuillen – headed the procession with their rendition of “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”.
They were closely followed by the 13th Light Horse Regiment Re-enactment Group, making their first-ever appearance in Maffra.
Also participating in the march were members of the No. 32 Squadron RAAF, based at East Sale; members of the local CFA brigade; military veterans and their families; and students and staff of St Mary’s Primary and Maffra Primary School, with a vintage Willys Jeep bringing up the rear.
The convoy then gathered around the cenotaph outside the library for a formal observance of Anzac Day, officiated by Maffra RSL Sub-Branch president Kevin Christensen.
Addressing the crowd, Mr Christensen said the commemoration was not just about “men and women who have served and continue to serve our country,” but “also about you”.
“We well appreciate the sacrifice made by the 102,866 men and women named on the Roll of Honour,” he told the crowd.
“What is less known are the injuries both physical and psychological, borne by not only those who served, but the families and friends of those men and women.”
Photo: Tom Parry
He also asked those in attendance to “spare a thought and a prayer” for those still experiencing conflict today.
“We bear witness in our lounge rooms every day to lives and livelihoods being destroyed as Europe is once again aflame,” Mr Christensen said.
“We are materially involved in that event already, and I pray that diplomacy wins the day before we are committed further.
“Be thankful that we have people ready and willing to stand for what is right.”
Other speakers on the day included Father Edwin Ogbuka, Maffra Sub-Branch vice-president Richard Kors, and RAAF Wing Commander Marcus Watson.
As with all other services, attendees laid wreaths under the cenotaph, observed a minute’s silence and heard “The Last Post” – played by trumpeter Gavin Mann.
Speaking to the Gippsland Times after the event, Mr Christensen noted that Maffra’s 2023 Anzac Day service had one of the best turnouts ever.
“The dawn service… I reckon we had about 300 people there, and there would have been more than that at the 11 o’clock service,” he said.
“That’s probably as good a crowd as I’ve seen at our daytime services, so it was just magnificent.”
Photo: Tom Parry
It was a sentiment echoed by Wellington Shire Councillor Jill Wood, one of the many attendees at Maffra’s morning service.
“I went to Stratford (earlier) this morning, and they said that was the biggest turnout they’ve had for a long time too,” Cr Wood said.
“I think people are realising the sacrifices that people made so we can have a beautiful country like this … that’s why a lot have turned out, I think.”
Cr Wood – who proudly wore her police service medals on the day – was one of many to lay a wreath at the base of the cenotaph, doing so on behalf of the Shire.
The 11am start was later than in years past, when Maffra’s daytime services would typically begin at 9am.
According to Mr Christensen, the change in time is due to an agreement with the Heyfield RSL Sub-Branch.
As part of the agreement, the two sub-branches alternate between a 9am and 11am start each year, in exchange for the services of the Maffra Municipal Band.
