Lest we forget
It was a solemn atmosphere in Cobram on Tuesday, April 25 as residents commemorated Anzac Day.
The day began early with the traditional dawn service at 6am, which was led by Cobram Secondary College captain Daniel Campbell and attended by hundreds.
Current serving personnel from the Army School of Health stood guard as the sun rose and the Last Post was played while in the sky a solitary plane provided by Murray Border Flying Club performed a flyover.
Cobram Barooga RSL sub-branch president Barry Clarke laid a wreath while Anglican priest Father Victor Adams led the attendees in prayer.
At 9.30am Cobram saw the traditional Anzac Day march, which started on Punt Rd near Woolworths before making its way back to the Cobram and District War Memorial for the 10am service.
The service saw a crowd of many hundreds attend and was led by Cobram Secondary College captain Caitlyn Knight, with wreaths laid by dignitaries and members of local organisations including the RSL, the schools and emergency service personnel.
The special guest speaker was Commodore Ashley Papp from the Royal Australian Navy, who was a Cobram local and went on to command ships and onshore naval facilities throughout decades of service.
Fr Adams led the attendees in prayer and the Murray Border Flying Club performed another flyover using multiple aircraft.
A smaller ceremony took place at Barooga Sporties at 12.30pm.
Cobram Barooga RSL sub-branch president Barry Clarke said Anzac Day was a time to reflect on the actions of service personnel past and present.
“(It means) remembering the sacrifice that the defence forces have made and the people who have made the supreme sacrifice, and those who have returned injured both in mind and body,” he said.
Moira Shire Council independent administrator John Tanner said it was vital to remember service personnel both past and present.
“Since the landing of our troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25, 1915 our soldiers quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day,” he said.
“We must never forget them and all those who have served in all the wars and conflicts in which Australia has been involved, and we must take time on Anzac Day to reflect on this and on those who gave their life on behalf of the nation.”
Anzac Day ceremonies were not confined to Tuesday, April 25, with Monday, April 24 seeing two smaller ceremonies take place in Katamatite and Tocumwal.
The Katamatite Primary School community gathered for a small service at the Katamatite war memorial and in Tocumwal, the Tocumwal War Memorial Hall opened its doors to the media to preview its new permanent photographic canvas installation.