THE community gathered on the foreshore at the San Remo cenotaph for a moving ANZAC Day service, with youth participants and veterans sharing their stories and acknowledging those who served for our country.
Guest speaker Newhaven College Captain Niamh Moore spoke of honouring the memory of the ANZACS by making sure we leave the world better than how we found it, leaving the future bright for all that come after us.
“We must never forget the lessons of the past. We must remember the horrors of the war and work to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. We must work towards peace, understanding and compassion so that future generations will not have to suffer the same fate as those who preceded us.
“If this is my only opportunity to thank everyone here and all those who have been affected by the war and conflict, then let it be heard that my generation my community, my peers and I are beyond grateful for your sacrifices, and we will live forever in debt of the men and women who fought for our country.”
Following Niamh was Year 9 student at Bass Coast College, Olivia Isabelle, who heroically spoke of her grandfather, sharing his story and her connection to ANZAC Day.
Olivia paid her respects to the brave soldiers risking their lives and shared that today to her, is a symbol of remembrance and respect for their sacrifice and courage.
Olivia’s grandfather was a soldier who served in the Vietnam War.
“My pa was of the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment based in Nui Dat in South Vietnam and was injured in a helicopter accident causing a knee injury, and he returned home with a hearing impairment.”
“Many like my grandpa didn’t lose their lives but they saw great loss and today live with lifelong injuries.”
Olivia shared that the next generation could learn from these experiences, learning that we can all stick together with determination, just like the veterans who returned home.
John Methven OAM MC of the service congratulated the youth participants on their contribution to the morning service – grateful for their involvement, before officially welcoming Squadron Leader Ret’d John Turner.
Mr Turner spoke of his learning of the ANZACs at school as a young student, ‘we learned of their courage, their spirit for life, their sense of mate ship, of the ingenuity and of their endurance.’
“And now I have had my own experiences of operational service for Australia. My first deployment to Afghanistan was in the Afghan summer of 2009, to a base just outside Tarinkot the capital of Uruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan.
“It is rugged and beautiful country. A river winds down and valley majestic mountains on either side. The people there are just like us, working hard for a living to support their families, but in Afghanistan, the locals have the extra burden of trying to survive and to protect their families in a region where armed conflict dates back hundreds of years.”
“I find that I often reflect on my experiences in Afghanistan, of the people that I met, of lives lost. There were soldiers injured. I'm aware not just a physical injury, but also of the poor state of mental health,” said Mr Turner.
John thanked the general population for gathering to remember and honour those who made sacrifices on operational service for their country and reminded the community that when you see a person in military uniform, not only on ANZAC day but on any day – think of the sacrifices that person has made on behalf of our country.
MC John Methven OAM recognised Turner’s words and said, ‘even when you see a younger veteran, say G’Day to them, they’d appreciate it.’
Mr Bill Noble delivered the Ode, before a minute of silence swept over the town of San Remo.
The Last Post was made by Mr Peter Buitenhuis, followed by a wreath laying service and the community collectively singing the Australian National Anthem.
Lest we forget.
