Anzac Day in Eugowra | Photos

Leading the marchers to the Cenotaph in the Park were four officer cadets from ADFA in Canberra. 

Emcee for the service was John Godden with the prayers being read by Elaine Cheney, who is a licensed lay minister of St Matthew’s Anglican Church.

The commemorative address was given by former Eugowra resident, Thomas Blackwood, who is now a Cadet Officer with ADFA. 

Following the wreath laying Tony Toohey read ‘In Flanders Field’ which was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.

Following the service, service personnel and their guests adjourned to the Bowling Club for lunch.

Thomas Blackwood’s address follows:

Today marks a very special day of the year when we all take a moment to reflect upon those who have gone before us in the defence of Australia, many of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice for this cause. 

It was upon writing this speech that I really thought about what Anzac Day means to me and why after 101 years we are all here together, honouring the men and women who served this nation. 

I believe Anzac Day is a time to reflect and appreciate what all service personnel have done for this nation. 

From the Boer War to Gallipoli followed by the horrors of the Western Front, to the Whalers of the Light Horse, charging across the Sinai, the Rats of Tobruk, Greece, Milne Bay and Kokoda, the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command, Korea, Long Tan, Vietnam and more recent names such as Tarinkot and Kandahar. 

For a small nation, Australia has always been in the thick of it. Always with a bias for action to help our allies in times of need. It’s these actions which have defined Australia’s identity on the world stage and it’s this identify which makes use one of the most reputed countries in the world. 

That reputation was not made by winning the America’s Cup or the rugby world cup or Gold Medals at the Olympics. 

It was forged on the world’s battlefields, in the air over war-torn cities and thousands of miles out to sea, where mate beside mate would fight for each other and the interests of Australia. 

This ladies and gentlemen is why after 101 years we are all here. To say thank you and remember all that they have done. 

From a young age I was always interested in the military. I remember my first Anzac Day March in Kindergarten, standing proudly with my school mates, not quite sure what I was doing there. In the years to come that interest would intensify and now I stand before you flanked by my comrades, proudly wearing the khaki green of the Australian Regular Army. 

It is an incredible feeling and very humbling to have the same Rising Sun and Slouch Hat as the thousands of men and women that have served before us. 

Every time we wear our uniform we represent them and the reputation they made. 

We do not think lightly of this matter, for although we are only in the infancy of our careers, all Army, Air Force and navy personnel strive to uphold the levels of service, courage, humility and utter professionalism that the Anzacs possessed and displayed in their actions. 

So may we all guard and protect the actions and valour of all personnel that have served in the past and that are still serving in the present. 

And if everyone could dedicate this day to them, in their own special way, then we will all still be standing here in another 101 years.