The organisers were delighted with the large number attending both the dawn and day services.
Members of the community began to gather in a respectful silence just as the dawn began to break and Finley RSL Sub-branch vice president Jim White, assisted by Anglican Minister Fr Fredrik Le Mesurier, began the service.
At the conclusion of the Dawn Service, many of those who had attended joined the veterans and their families for the traditional ‘Gunfire Breakfast’ at the Finley RS Club.
The Anzac Day service began with groups forming up for the march along Murray St, arriving at the Finley Memorial Park for the service to begin at 11am.
Once again, members of the Finley Fire + Rescue team stepped up to take on the role of the catafalque party, due to miscommunication with the Defence Forces HQ.
Finley RSL Sub-branch executive would like to thank Rodger Sutton, his two sons Riley and Cooper, and Elyse Price, together with Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Tess Dean, as Commander, for the great performance put together with such short notice.
Thanks also to Fire + Rescue’s Lawrence Walsh for his outstanding assistance.
Once again, Finley schools students participated in the official service and, for the first time, students from Blighty Public School marched as usual and did a reading.
Guest speaker, also stepping up at the last minute, was local service historian John Hand who gave a very interesting presentation, including touching on the connection the members of the catafalque party had with Finley’s service history.
Fr Fredrick attended to the Benediction, and Catherine Healy and Lawrence Walsh led the public with the singing.
The official program came to an end with the Finley RSL Sub-branch inviting veterans and their families to light refreshments at the Finley RS Club.
The traditional two-up game even returned, to the pleasure of some.
It was a delight to see so many families and the schools taking advantage of the opportunity to have photos taken in front of the obelisk which was looking resplendent with the many beautiful flowers and wreaths that had been placed during the services.
Members of the Finley RSL Sub-branch would like to thank all those in the community who gave assistance, support and carrying out the preparations for this most important day of the year.
There are too many to mention individually, however sometimes our local businesses go unheard of for the manner in which they support so many organisations.
Special thanks go to K & A Foods, PFD and Finley Bakery for the donation of food for the ‘Gunfire Breakfast’, and to the general manager Finley RS Club Matt Kook, for bringing it all together.
