They Were Everyday Australians

VAL Quinell, president of the Scone RSL sub-branch said he was heartened by the number of people who made the effort to commemorate ANZAC Day in Scone today.

“Especially the number of school children who are here today,” said Mr Quinell.

“This year we kept things simple and didn’t want to string it out too long and the short break in the middle for people to stretch their legs helped in the hot sun,” he said.

“There were quite a few visitors who joined the march this year and it’s always nice to head to the RSL afterwards, have a beer and meet them,” Val Quinell said.

See photos below.

The North American P51D war bird fly over by Paul Bennett and courtesy of Pay’s Air Service is a signature of Scone’s commemorations and the sudden roaring disruption, a very welcome one.

Videos of the service can be found on the scone.com.au Facebook page.

Lt Harry Wagner from the Singleton School of Infantry gave the address and said ANZAC Day was the chance for two nations to remember the extraordinary bravery and dedication in 1915 through until today defending Australia and their allies.

“To me, ANZAC Day symbolises more than a day of commemoration, it speaks to heart of Australia and our history,” said Lt Wagner.

“Before the ANZAC’s landed to secure the Dardanelles most were civilians, they were farmers, business owners, they were teachers, they were nurses, they were the bold and exuberant life blood of Australia,” he said.

“They gave that up in 1914 when the guns of August sounded all across Europe,” he said.

“The world plunged into the largest and most testing war ever seen to date,” he said.

“Britain announced war with Germany, Australia and New Zealand pledged 20,000 ANZAC’s in support; there was no Act for conscription, no mandate to fight and yet by the end of 1914 over 50,000 free men and women had volunteered for service,” he said.

“They left their homes to take up riffles, they brought their horses for our cavalry, they boarded ships bound for lands and fate unknown,” Lt Harry Wagner said.

The ties of Australia and New Zealand were again given a passionate voice by Razz Wilson who sang the New Zealand national anthem; a crowd favourite at the ceremony.

More than 100 local school children participated in the march and sang Advance Australia Fair and the Scone Grammar School Band and combined schools choir sang And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda.

The Scone RSL pipes and drums played the Lament, Chris Lavis played the bugle for the Last Post and Reveille, Father Nguyen gave the benediction, Indiana Taylor and Phoebe Weatherly from Scone High School said the Prayer for the Nation and George Clementson read The Ode.