Sacrifice remembered

By Jade Lawton
BERWICK’S Anzac Day service celebrated the dedication and sacrifices of volunteers in service, from those who lost their lives in far away wars to those who put their life on the line in battles closer to home.
RSL members and community groups, including the SES, CFA, Air League, schools and Scout groups, marched with pride down High Street while the crowd broke into applause.
Thousands gathered to hear Berwick RSL secretary George Nicholson, who gave a special mention to those still serving in Iraq and Afghanistan before introducing guest speaker and Berwick CFA Captain Alan Boyd.
“We pray for their protection, safety and speedy return,” Mr Nicholson said.
“Black Saturday was the start of a very long battle right here on our doorstep, and we couldn’t think of anyone more worthy a guest speaker than the Captain of Berwick CFA, Alan Boyd.”
Captain Boyd spoke of his tracing of his family history, and his interest in the North Australia Observers Unit, a group also known as the ‘Nackeroos’ who crossed some of Australia’s harshest terrain for years on end to ensure the safety of Australia’s borders.
“Each in that unit was typical of those who volunteered for their country. It was secretive, and their family would sometimes not know where they were for two years. They suffered extreme isolation and loneliness,” he said.
“The reason I’m telling you this today, is my father was a Nackeroo. He never spoke much of the war.”
“We have left many people behind, and each of these people has a name, a family, an identity,” he said.
Wreaths were laid by local schools, community groups, politicians, and individuals, with eight-year-old girl Abby Fisher stealing the hearts of the crowd with a personal message.
“I am eight years old, thankyou for my freedom,” her card read.
Berwick RSL President Les Lucas said the RSL was happy with the large crowd.
“It was well attended and, as a sub-branch, we were very happy,” he said.
Seven planes from the RAAF Roulettes aerobatics team returned this year, flying over the service shortly after 11am.
The service also had a new addition, with three blank volleys fired by the Australian Great War Association after the ceremony.