Towns turnout for moving remembrances

Yarrawonga Mulwala RSL sub-branch president Michael Hogan said the turnout for the Dawn Service at ClubMulwala and the services in Yarrawonga and Mulwala where “just magnificent”.

Some attendees put the Dawn Service attendance close to 3,000, with well over 1,500 at the mid-morning ceremonies.

In his address at the Yarrawonga service, Mr Hogan emphasised the significance of the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign and the term ‘Anzac’, which originates from the name Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and its profound meaning.

“Gallipoli marked the inaugural major military campaign for Australian and New Zealand soldiers and nurses. Since then, April 25th has been designated as Anzac Day,” he said.

“The term ‘Anzac’ originates from the name Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which was shortened to Anzac in 1915.

“When Australians and New Zealanders have served together, they have often been referred to as Anzacs,” Mr Hogan explained.

Guest speaker Lieutenant Sam Jenkins from the Royal Australian Navy addressed the importance of honouring and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“We stand here in contemplation, reminded of the indomitable spirit of the Anzacs and their enduring legacy that continues to guide and inspire us in the present day,” he said.

Lieutenant Jenkins also spoke about the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, highlighting the bravery and wisdom of the Royal Australian Navy submarine, HMAS AE2, affectionately known as the ‘Silent Anzac’.

In the early hours of April 25th, 1915, as 16,000 Australian and New Zealand troops, along with their British, French, and Indian comrades, prepared for their assault on the Gallipoli peninsula, Lieutenant Commander Henry Stoker commanded AE2, a submarine that managed to slip through the heavily guarded waters of the Dardanelles Strait.

“Notably, no Allied submarine had successfully penetrated this crucial shipping lane, which served as a vital supply route for enemy reinforcements and resources,” Lieutenant Jenkins recounted.

“They braved the treacherous passage through minefields and enemy defences to enter the Sea of Marmara.”

Lieutenant Jenkins recognised the daring feat as a valuable contribution to the Anzac landings at Gallipoli.

Tragically, the submarine was struck by a Turkish torpedo and sank on April 30th. Stoker ordered the crew to abandon ship and remained until the last man was safely in the water.

“The actions of Lieutenant Commander Stoker and his crew exemplified the ingenuity and bravery of our naval forces, demonstrating unwavering resolve in the face of adversity.

“As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, we also recognise the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, the 35th anniversary of the commencement of the Gulf War, and the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War.

“In reflecting on the sacrifices made by those who served before us, we honour their service and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles for which they fought,” Lieutenant Jenkins said.

School captains share their reflections

School captains from Yarrawonga College P-12 and Sacred Heart College shared their reflections at the Dawn service.

Sacred Heart College’s Dimity Connell shared the Oxford dictionary's meaning of sacrifice, stating that the definition of sacrifice is the act of surrendering a possession as an offering to a duty.

“While this may encapsulate the literal meaning of a small sacrifice, the definition does not even begin to portray the almighty sacrifice the Australian New Zealand Army Corp took for their countries,” Dimity said.

“This kind of sacrifice can never be put into words. Whether their own life was laid down, their mate’s life was laid down before their eyes, or maybe the sounds of the war were terror enough for them, the Anzac sacrifice will always be too elusive to define or truly explain.”

Fellow Sacred Heart captain Sienna Ross spoke of how as the sun rises, we are reminded not only of the sacrifices made by those who served our country but also of the important lessons they left behind.

“Whilst one hundred and ten years passed since the Gallipoli landing, the Anzac legacy continues to live on through every Australian generation as we acclaim and hold the bravery of the servicemen and women with the highest regard,” Sienna said.

“As we move forward, let us never forget the lessons of the Anzacs. Let us carry their spirit with us, knowing that we are part of something greater than ourselves.”

Yarrawonga College P-12 captain Zac Forge spoke about on this 110th Anzac day, we remember the 300,000 Australians who served overseas during the First World War with some 60,000 who tragically lost their lives.

“These were not simply soldiers - but at their core, the bravest human beings Australia has ever seen,” Zac said.

“And even 110 years later, their qualities are what we remember and celebrate the most.

“Their bodies may lie on the cliff’s edge at Gallipoli, but their spirit underpins the very foundation of who we are today.”

Fellow P-12 College Captain Jordan Ibbott spoke of how we remember all those, whose bodies lie on foreign ground and the families back home who mourned their loss.

“As a young, privileged male finishing school and looking forward to university and the future, I cannot comprehend leaving home to fight in a war from which I may never return,” Jordan said.

“I am eternally grateful for the brave young men and women who did this. Those who have fought for and defended our country so that we may enjoy the freedom and way of life that we often take for granted.

“We must ensure that we never forget the sacrifice made by so many and that they did not die in vain.”