ANZAC Day in Barmah

The Anzac Day Parade and Service at Barmah continues to grow in numbers year by year.  It is encouraging that the event is so well supported not only by our small community but also from others who come from near and far to this annual event.

The theme for this year was the essential provision of clean drinking war during time of war not only for the comfort of the men and their horses but also for good health. Up until WWII this was a major cause of sickness among the men. The drinking water was carried in water carts pulled by horses or donkeys or transported in jerry cans. 

As usual the march from the pub to the War Memorial was led by 2 vintage cars. Tony Murphy brought his 1914 Buick Roadster and transported Colonel Gerry Clifton aged 93, a veteran who served in Malaya, Germany and Vietnam.

Bill Draper from Leeton was in a vintage Mercedes. Bill is the great nephew of Alex Draper of Nathalia who died in South Africa during the Boer War. The Boer War pedestal at the Nathalia War Memorial is dedicated to him.

Bill attended both the Dawn Service and the service at Barmah and was able to catch up with some of his Lubke relatives and Jill Galloway (daughter of Stitcher Pearce - Albert William) of the20th Light Horse and reminisced about days gone by.

As usual Kerry Bruce organised the largest contingent of horses we’ve ever had (about 20 riders on horseback and Max Ryder’s 2 horses pulling a cart) from the Indi Light Horse as well as the Nathalia Pony Club and the Barmah Muster. 

The Flag Marshalls were young Henry Mansfield (assisted by his Dad, Duane) and Paullie Sherer-Richards.  Both boys did a great job.  We welcome young people as part of our service. They are the future.

We were privileged to have Naomi Concy who sang the New Zealand National Anthem.  Naomi & her partner Josef have recently moved to Nathalia and we are very grateful they have decided to join our community at Nathalia/Picola RSL.

There have been problems in the past with sound and Kim Kneebone very kindly provided her PA system for the event and this was a great improvement. Mick Dowlan performed Tenterfield Sadler and It Still Call Australia Home by Peter Allen. Both very appropriate for Anzac Day.

The ladies of Barmah excelled themselves again and every morsel of food was quickly devoured.

The Barmah Social Club and the Nathalia Op Shop provided generous donations and this has enabled us to continue to provide free morning tea as well as purchase equipment to assist with the smooth running of the event.

This event would not be possible without our whole small community and they continue to support us wholeheartedly every year.