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Eerily
illuminated by the photographer’s flash members of
HMAS Darwin’s ship’s company attend the Dawn Service
while on station in the Gulf.
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By Graham
Davis
In
signs of national solidarity and support for those serving overseas,
particularly in Iraq, East Timor and Bougainville, along with
those who had served in the past, some of the largest crowds ever
attended ANZAC services and marches across Australia on April
25.
Of
great significance was the vast number of young people who left
their beds at 3am to travel long distances to attend Dawn Services.
One
of the most poignant remarks came from AVM John Kindler who told
the 4.30am service at Sydney’s Martin Place Cenotaph, “On
April 25, 1915 we were at war. On April 25, 2003 we are at war.”
The
larger than usual crowds turned out in the smallest villages to
Australia’s largest cities.
Far
from our shores there was a Dawn Service in HMAS Kanimbla on station
in The Gulf where Chief of the Defence Force, GEN Peter Cosgrove
was present.
He
had joined the Defence Minister, Senator Robert Hill in a tour
of ADF elements involved in Operation Falconer.
Elsewhere
the Minister Assisting Senator Hill, Mrs Danna Vale, was in Belgium
attending ceremonies and services.
More
than 20,000 people from the ACT population of 300,000, attended
the Dawn Service at the Stone of Remembrance memorial in Canberra.
The
Governor General, Dr Peter Hollingworth led a large contingent
of VIPs which joined the man in the street for the moving service.
In Martin Place in Sydney, the first people arrived just after
midnight. By 4.30am more than 12,000 people and possibly 15,000,
not only crowded out Martin Place, they spilled into Pitt and
George Streets.
“It
was a larger crowd than we had here last year,” Chief Marshal
Terry Maling told Navy News. He and his organising committee had
anticipated a larger than normal attendance and had widened the
loudspeaker coverage. The service was also broadcast over several
radio stations.
Large
Australian National Flag banners marked Their Service: Our Heritage
fluttered in the pre-dawn westerly breeze from dozens of poles
around the memorial.
The
captains of the Strathfield South High School, Fayrouz Hammoud
and Aristo Paparestis, delivered the Ode. The crowd was in good
voice thanks to more than 11,500 orders of service handed out
by school students.
During
the 40-minute service the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir,
delivered the dedication and was the first to lay a wreath.
Commander/Australian
Theatre, RADM Marc Bonser and MC AUST, RADM Raydon Gates, were
among the Defence leaders to lay tributes.
As
well as thousands of ex-service personnel marching under the banners
of RAN ships, there was an excellent turnout by serving Navy personnel.
CAPT
Peter Murray and his XO CMDR Ted Breukel led a fine group from
HMAS Watson, while CMDR David Greaves led a well turned out ship’s
company from HMAS Stuart.
The
Dawn Service and march in Sydney were replicated at hundreds of
other locations across the nation.
The
ship’s company of HMAS Harman under CMDR Suzanne Smith, was
invited by the Queanbeyan RSL Sub Branch to lead the march through
the streets of Queanbeyan.
Earlier
Australian Naval Cadets from TS Canberra formed the catafalque
party at the Queanbeyan Dawn Service.
In
Darwin the ship’s company of visiting HMAS Newcastle linked
with sailors from the patrol boat fleet and shore establishments
to boost a strong Defence presence in that city’s Dawn Service
and march.
No
723 Squadron rotated a pair of Squirrels to do fly-overs of the
main march in Nowra and remembrance activities in Berry and Wollongong.
Other
personnel attended services and or marches in Greenwell Point,
Shoalhaven Heads, Bomaderry, Nowra, Callala Beach, Moss Vale,
Kiama, Oak Flats and Wollongong.
Head
of the RAN’s aviation FEG, CDRE Geoff Ledger did the Dawn
Service address at Bomaderry while the commanding officer of Albatross,
CAPT Simon Cullen addressed the Greenwell Point Dawn Service.
Across
in Western Australia, in Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart and
Adelaide, RAN personnel participated in ANZAC activities.
