A heavy downpour after the dawn service wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of Anzac Day marchers.
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It looked as though the entire town turned out to watch the march, which included ex-servicemen, current servicemen and women, school students, and representatives of organisations and services from Griffith.
Many schoolchildren bore their family medals, standing in for those lost to time or too frail to attend.
Petty Officer Dion Dredge had returned from a second tour in the Middle East to serve at HMAS Cerberus, the Navy training facility near Melbourne.
He came home to Griffith to march with his grandfather Royce, and said it was great to see so many people turned out for the occasion.
“I came here a few years ago and I think we got a quarter of show up compared to this time around, it’s unbelievable to see,” Mr Dredge said.
Having assembled in front of Memorial Hall, they marched down Banna Avenue to Memorial Park, and took their places around the cenotaph.
The main Anzac Day service was conducted by Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) – Griffith Sub-Branch.
Mr Terry Walsh gave some opening remarks, and then handed over to Mr Hank Veenhuizen, the President of the RSL Sub-Branch, to give the salute.
Secretary of the RSL Sub-Branch Ms Fiona Beverley gave the prologue, saying “on this day, above all days, we remember those Australian men and women who died or suffered in the great tragedy of war.”
A Prayer was offered by Fr Rob Harris, and then the placing of wreaths commenced, the result of which was a cenotaph covered in flowers and colours.
Temora Aviation Museum had organised a CA-16 Wirraway to fly over the service, and the crowd took photos and watched the old warplane give a salute.
The commemoration address was given by retired Colonel Neil Thompson CSC, who reminded those present that the service was not a celebration but rather a memorial for those who had served.