Creswick Dawn Service - 2023
Paul McGuiness - Senior Vice-President, Creswick-Smeaton RSL
Welcoming Address
ANZAC Cove
There's a lonely stretch of hillocks:
There's a beach asleep and drear:
There's a battered broken fort beside the sea.
There are sunken trample graves:
And a little rotting pier:
And winding paths that wind unceasingly.
There's a torn and silent valley:
There's a tiny rivulet.
With some blood upon the stones beside its mouth.
There are lines of buried bones:
There's an unpaid waiting debt:
There's a sound of gentle sobbing in the 'south
Leon Gellert 10th Bn AIF
Good morning everyone. It is always heartening to see the numbers of people, especially our younger generations, gathered this morning. I know that the every-declining ranks of our veterans value your attendance. To paraphrase Gen Sir Peter Cosgrove: "ANZAC is now not the sole possession of the veterans, probably never has been. It's not the possession of the armed forces or the RSL, although they are, to some degree, custodians of ANZAC Day. It is where it ought to be and probably has been spiritually for generations, the possession of the peoples of Australia and New Zealand.
When war broke out in 1914 Australia has been a federated nation for only 13 years, New Zealand for seven, and both government were eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world. The first action of both nation's soldiers on 25 April 1915 had such a profound effect, along with those who served and are still serving, beginning with that original landing at the dawn on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
We remember all those that served or paid the ultimate sacrifice in World Wat Two, Korea, Indonesia, Malaya, Vietnam, Cambodia, Somalia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as other contributions to peace keeping and peace-making missions throughout the world.
We reflect upon the epitaphs engraved on memorials to the fallen of a distant battlefield, which read, "...for your tomorrow, we gave our today...", or "...from the uttermost ends of the earth...".
This then is why we gather together in this place, at this hour, on this day every year; not to glorify war or praise victors, but to commemorate those who have served our nation in times of conflict and crisis; to reflect upon their sacrifice, and to remember those who suffered and are still suffering in body, mind and spirit.
ANZAC Cove
There's a lonely stretch of hillocks:
There's a beach asleep and drear:
There's a battered broken fort beside the sea.
There are sunken trample graves:
And a little rotting pier:
And winding paths that wind unceasingly.
There's a torn and silent valley:
There's a tiny rivulet.
With some blood upon the stones beside its mouth.
There are lines of buried bones:
There's an unpaid waiting debt:
There's a sound of gentle sobbing in the 'south
Leon Gellert 10th Bn AIF
Good morning everyone. It is always heartening to see the numbers of people, especially our younger generations, gathered this morning. I know that the every-declining ranks of our veterans value your attendance. To paraphrase Gen Sir Peter Cosgrove: "ANZAC is now not the sole possession of the veterans, probably never has been. It's not the possession of the armed forces or the RSL, although they are, to some degree, custodians of ANZAC Day. It is where it ought to be and probably has been spiritually for generations, the possession of the peoples of Australia and New Zealand.
When war broke out in 1914 Australia has been a federated nation for only 13 years, New Zealand for seven, and both government were eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world. The first action of both nation's soldiers on 25 April 1915 had such a profound effect, along with those who served and are still serving, beginning with that original landing at the dawn on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
We remember all those that served or paid the ultimate sacrifice in World Wat Two, Korea, Indonesia, Malaya, Vietnam, Cambodia, Somalia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as other contributions to peace keeping and peace-making missions throughout the world.
We reflect upon the epitaphs engraved on memorials to the fallen of a distant battlefield, which read, "...for your tomorrow, we gave our today...", or "...from the uttermost ends of the earth...".
This then is why we gather together in this place, at this hour, on this day every year; not to glorify war or praise victors, but to commemorate those who have served our nation in times of conflict and crisis; to reflect upon their sacrifice, and to remember those who suffered and are still suffering in body, mind and spirit.
ACT OF REMBERANCE
I now invite the Honourable Catherine King MP to lay a wreath.
The ODE:
They shall grow not old as we who are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
I now invite the Honourable Catherine King MP to lay a wreath.
The ODE:
They shall grow not old as we who are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Last Post - Played by Craig Latrobe from the Creswick Band
Silence
LEST WE FORGET
Rouse/Reveille - flags orderly raise Australian National and New Zealand National flags to masthead
NZ National Anthem
Australian National Anthem
Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our Dawn Service for this morning.
Silence
LEST WE FORGET
Rouse/Reveille - flags orderly raise Australian National and New Zealand National flags to masthead
NZ National Anthem
Australian National Anthem
Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our Dawn Service for this morning.
There will be a Gunfire Breakfast at the Senior Citizens Hall should you wish to participate.
To my left is the Field of Crosses commemorating those of the area who had at some time served and died. Those who died since ANZAC Day last year are at the top of the Field. There are poppies available to be placed should you wish to locate someone within this field.
There will be a service this morning at 10:45 following the march. I would encourage you to attend.
To my left is the Field of Crosses commemorating those of the area who had at some time served and died. Those who died since ANZAC Day last year are at the top of the Field. There are poppies available to be placed should you wish to locate someone within this field.
There will be a service this morning at 10:45 following the march. I would encourage you to attend.