Seemingly almost every organisation in the Berwick district placed a wreath or flowers on the cenotaph in a record turnout for the Berwick and Narre Warren Anzac Day service yesterday (Tuesday). Flowers were placed all around the cenotaph. While people moved away this ‘unknown’ little girl quietly walked up and placed a single flower among those already there. Guest speaker at the service Squadron Leader Professor Bruce Waxman said during his address: “The real heroes of this service today are young people who came out.”By Jim Mynard
THOUSANDS of people turned out to yesterday’s Berwick RSL and Rotary Club of Narre Warren Anzac Day celebrations.
Nearly 300 people attended the dawn service at the City of Casey war memorial in front of the civic centre despite a chilly start to the day.
The civic centre reception area was packed for the traditional Gun Fire breakfast and extra tables were brought in to cater for more than ever.
The City of Casey and Rotary Club of Narre Warren provide the breakfast free every year.
An estimated two to three thousand people then came out in sunny weather for the Berwick march and service at the High Street Cenotaph.
Many old soldiers were delighted at the sight and could not contain their feelings that so many young people were embracing the ‘spirit of Anzac’.
Veteran Bob Waugh told guests at the breakfast that it was only 14 years after the Australian federation that our soldiers went to Gallipoli.
He said historians describe that event as the birth of our nation.
“To many people that time epitomizes the spirit of Australia. “
He said we now remember the sacrifices of people who served then and those who continue to serve to preserve our freedoms.
Berwick RSL vice president Peter Beames said the first Anzac Day service was on the hill overlooking Albany Harbour from where the first contingent of Anzacs sailed.
“Within 20 years we Australians were acknowledging the sacrifices of those who served and paid the supreme sacrifice during the next war. We now remember those who served in Korea, Malaya, and Sarawak, Vietnam, Somalia, the Gulf, East Timor, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
“We also think of those deployed on peace keeping missions,” he said.
