People have come together across the Far South Coast, attending ANZAC Day services from Eden to Batemans Bay.
The Bega dawn service attendees stepped off to the sound of the lone piper to the Bega Memorial gates led by 7th light horse.
Bega ANZAC Day MC, John Watkin, told ARN today is all about honouring those who have served this country and defended our freedom.
“Given all the turmoil that’s going on in the world today, we need to hang onto that freedom more fervently than ever, and appreciate it more than ever, and that’s what we do on ANZAC Day, is basically honour, pay homage, and respect those that have served this country for our freedom,” Mr Watkin said.
“We had a great service in Bega this morning, hearing the horses trotting up Carp Street towards the war memorial is a really nice time of reflection,” he said.
“It’s great to be able to come together and honour those who’ve served this country in past years and past genrations and just pay homage to the men and women who have defended our freedom.”
Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick, gave a speech at the Bega Dawn Service.
“It was a great rollout this morning given it’s 6 o’clock and pretty cold but it’s the ultimate sacrifice that these people made for us, to live with the freedom we do today and enjoy the benefits that we have today, with freedom of speech and freedom in everything that we do, so the least we can do is show our respect on ANZAC Day,” Cr Fiztpatrick said.
“I spoke today about three and many more that didn’t return from various conflicts not just the first world war, but all the other conflicts and peace keeping missions as well, and it’s important that we remember them all, and the sacrifices they made for us and the lifestyle that we get to live.”
“I can’t imagine being 16 or 17 (years old) and being sent off to war, and there’s a duty on us to make sure it never happens again in some ways.”
People came together all across the Far South Coast from Tathra (pictured above) to the Batemans Bay Dawn Service at the Honour Stone and around 300 people getting down to Wimbie Beach for a community led service.
The Wimbie Beach service featured over 1,000 candles in the shape of the word ANZAC with 550 of those candles individually named for those who left the Eurobodalla to go to the ‘Great War’.
Organiser Dawn Simpson, says as the sun came up over the beach eight kayakers with candles were out on the water, representing the boats landing at Gallipoli of the 25th April 1915.
“It was a touching and memorable service, the beach was alight with candles, when the bagpipes started playing, there wasn’t a dry eye left in the place,” Simpson said.
“Everyone who attended, were all offering to help, putting down candles and it was a really beautiful team effort, so thanks to everyone who came along and who helped out.”
Ms Simpson says the she wants it to remain as a community event, as would not like to see government or a big authority come and take the event over.
“Today proved that everybody that comes along to this community event is so caring, willing to help, and they all want it to be a success, and if that continues, then each year we can all do it as a community and gather on that beach and give thanks.”
Images: James Fennessy / ARN, Ruth Treyde, Laurita Jones, Judy Regan
Video: Neil Greentree / Neil G Photohraphy
