Creswick Dawn Service - 2025
MC - Creswick-Smeaton RSL Vice-President Paul McGuiness
PROLOGUE
I want you to imagine with me being present at the events of some one hundred and ten years ago. Events that bring us here together this morning.
You are a young seventeen-year-old soldier, for most of the night you've been awake with the nerves of unknown possibilities. At 0130h you're ordered to get your kit on and fall in on deck in the places marked out for you. On the way to your position, you're given a ration of rum to ward off the cold and the fear. You hear a whispered sound of 'good luck Aussie" as you are ordered to disembark into the boats below.
You swing over the side of the ship and begin the climb down a rope ladder to the waiting rowboat. Your pack, straps cutting into your shoulders, rifle slung and strangling you, sack with a pick and shovel, and various other accoutrements impede your progress. You break into a furious sweat beneath the woollen tunic of your uniform. Eventually you make it into the rowboats and find your place amount your mates. Around you all is silence and stillness.
The sweat from your exertions is beginning to freeze under your tunic. The cold has started to creep in again. Despite the closeness of your comrades, you feel alone. Alone with your thoughts. Alone with your anxiety. You fear for the oncoming day. You fear being maimed or killed. Mostly you fear that you won't be brave enough when you came face-to-face with the enemy. You fear that you will let down your mates.
At 0300h the moon sets. All is darkness. Eventually all boats are full. At 0330h the stream pinnace, towing a string of rowboats, moves from out of the shadow of the Man-Of-War and begins the slow crawl towards the shore. Other thoughts swirl through your mind. Will everything go to plan? Will they hear us? Will it be a surprise? At a predetermined point the tow releases that rowboats, and on a sea as smooth as satin, oars muffled with sandbags to reduce noise, the small boats strike out for the landing point.
Sixth metres from shore a bright light comes through the darkness, and a solitary shot rings out from the hills. The order comes - 'pull for your lives". All you can hear is the crash/thump of rifle fire, the chatter of machine guns, and the whine of narrowly missing bullets. Cries of pain rend the air. The boat is being hit, the water churned to foam all around, You can do nothing but sit there, completely jammed in, praying to get into comer. A groan to your left and your mate slumps against you. Blood spatters your face. The boat grounds, and everyone ties to get over the side.
You fall into chest deep water and come up spluttering. You struggle forward as best you can, boots slipping on the weed covered rocks beneath the waves. Your breath comes in short gasps, and the sound of your heart pounds in your ears. Bullets strike sparks from the shingle at your feet as yo dash into the beach.
It is now 0429h on 25th April 1915. The first of the ANZAC's have made it ashore at Ari Burnu, which will later be known as ANZAC Cove. These men are the first of thousands whose destiny will be decided in the hills and gullies that loom above them. The first of those who will enter the pages of history.
PROLOGUE
I want you to imagine with me being present at the events of some one hundred and ten years ago. Events that bring us here together this morning.
You are a young seventeen-year-old soldier, for most of the night you've been awake with the nerves of unknown possibilities. At 0130h you're ordered to get your kit on and fall in on deck in the places marked out for you. On the way to your position, you're given a ration of rum to ward off the cold and the fear. You hear a whispered sound of 'good luck Aussie" as you are ordered to disembark into the boats below.
You swing over the side of the ship and begin the climb down a rope ladder to the waiting rowboat. Your pack, straps cutting into your shoulders, rifle slung and strangling you, sack with a pick and shovel, and various other accoutrements impede your progress. You break into a furious sweat beneath the woollen tunic of your uniform. Eventually you make it into the rowboats and find your place amount your mates. Around you all is silence and stillness.
The sweat from your exertions is beginning to freeze under your tunic. The cold has started to creep in again. Despite the closeness of your comrades, you feel alone. Alone with your thoughts. Alone with your anxiety. You fear for the oncoming day. You fear being maimed or killed. Mostly you fear that you won't be brave enough when you came face-to-face with the enemy. You fear that you will let down your mates.
At 0300h the moon sets. All is darkness. Eventually all boats are full. At 0330h the stream pinnace, towing a string of rowboats, moves from out of the shadow of the Man-Of-War and begins the slow crawl towards the shore. Other thoughts swirl through your mind. Will everything go to plan? Will they hear us? Will it be a surprise? At a predetermined point the tow releases that rowboats, and on a sea as smooth as satin, oars muffled with sandbags to reduce noise, the small boats strike out for the landing point.
Sixth metres from shore a bright light comes through the darkness, and a solitary shot rings out from the hills. The order comes - 'pull for your lives". All you can hear is the crash/thump of rifle fire, the chatter of machine guns, and the whine of narrowly missing bullets. Cries of pain rend the air. The boat is being hit, the water churned to foam all around, You can do nothing but sit there, completely jammed in, praying to get into comer. A groan to your left and your mate slumps against you. Blood spatters your face. The boat grounds, and everyone ties to get over the side.
You fall into chest deep water and come up spluttering. You struggle forward as best you can, boots slipping on the weed covered rocks beneath the waves. Your breath comes in short gasps, and the sound of your heart pounds in your ears. Bullets strike sparks from the shingle at your feet as yo dash into the beach.
It is now 0429h on 25th April 1915. The first of the ANZAC's have made it ashore at Ari Burnu, which will later be known as ANZAC Cove. These men are the first of thousands whose destiny will be decided in the hills and gullies that loom above them. The first of those who will enter the pages of history.
WELCOMING ADDRESS
Good morning everyone. The operation for the forcing of The Dardanelles was designed to drew off forces from the western front, open a warm water sea route to Russia, and by so doing shorten the war. Sadly, the hope for results did not eventuate, and instead we are left with the tragedy that has become known as Gallipoli. That place, etched into memorials, dusty on the colours of long disbanded units, where tens of thousands fell wounded, or drew their last breath, become an example of failure. Failure of resourcing, failure of imagination, and failure to achieve projected aims.
However, it is not because of this waste or failure that we are drawn here. We unite here in the darkness in solemn remembrance of the extraordinary sacrifices made by those who have served our two young nations. We gather to acknowledge the valour, resilience, tenacity, and selflessness of those Australians and New Zealanders, between whom, an unbreakable bond was forged in those desperate months of blood, fear and death.
We remember that their mateship held them together through their darkest moment, How they fought for each other, not their countries. Each story that you hear today is a tread in the fabric on our national identity. These threads bind us together. They speak of perseverance, fortitude, and sacrifice. These qualities form part of we call the ANZAC Spirit. The qualities that each of us aspire to share in.
This day allows us to remember our allies from that war and conflicts that would follow. We recall all those that served or paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War Two, Korea, Indonesia, Malaya, Vietnam, Namibia, Cambodia, Somalia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other contributions to peacekeeping, peacemaking, and humanitarian aid missions throughout the world. We recall and honour those that faced the unknown, those who retuned forever changes, carrying the burdens on their experiences with them.
Let us take a moment to reflect on the medial staff who served alongside our troops, often under the most harrowing conditions. Their dedication, compassions, and resolve were vital to the survival and recovery of countless service personnel. From the makeshift aid stations, field hospitals, hospital ships and aircraft, and on to base hospitals they were the unsung heroes providing not only medical care but also comfort and hope to those in need. Their contributions remind us that the spirit of service extends beyond the battlespace.
We also remember the families who remined steadfast behind our servicemen and women - the mothers, fathers, partners, and children who endured the heartache of separation, the worry, and the grief. their strength and resilience is as integral part of our national narrative. They are the silent heroes who have supported our soldiers through their darkest days and celebrated their victories, both large and small. Their sacrifices, too, deserve recognitions and gratitude.
Throughout the day you may see some battle with things that they aren't able to un-see, decisions that they cannot un-make, or events that overtook them. For some, ANZAC Day becomes that hardest day of the year. In site of this, they are able to find a way to convey to the next generation, and others, that a simple ceremony like this does not honour militarism; it is a single moment of solemnity, during which we can all reflect on those who have gone, and those who struggle still. Their steadfastness, their selflessness, their compassion and their comradeship.
The late Mr Albert " Ted: Matthews was the last ANZAC to be involved in the initial landings. He said something that all should ponder on today:
"...People say we are glorifying war. This is quite wrong. We are remembering our dead. Anyone who has seen war and glories war is a lunatic. It's an awful business seeing men like that. War is a stupid business, and it doesn't settle anything, mostly. There's politicians that make war but they don't go to it. If they had to go, there wouldn't be any... That's only my opinion..."
Good morning everyone. The operation for the forcing of The Dardanelles was designed to drew off forces from the western front, open a warm water sea route to Russia, and by so doing shorten the war. Sadly, the hope for results did not eventuate, and instead we are left with the tragedy that has become known as Gallipoli. That place, etched into memorials, dusty on the colours of long disbanded units, where tens of thousands fell wounded, or drew their last breath, become an example of failure. Failure of resourcing, failure of imagination, and failure to achieve projected aims.
However, it is not because of this waste or failure that we are drawn here. We unite here in the darkness in solemn remembrance of the extraordinary sacrifices made by those who have served our two young nations. We gather to acknowledge the valour, resilience, tenacity, and selflessness of those Australians and New Zealanders, between whom, an unbreakable bond was forged in those desperate months of blood, fear and death.
We remember that their mateship held them together through their darkest moment, How they fought for each other, not their countries. Each story that you hear today is a tread in the fabric on our national identity. These threads bind us together. They speak of perseverance, fortitude, and sacrifice. These qualities form part of we call the ANZAC Spirit. The qualities that each of us aspire to share in.
This day allows us to remember our allies from that war and conflicts that would follow. We recall all those that served or paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War Two, Korea, Indonesia, Malaya, Vietnam, Namibia, Cambodia, Somalia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other contributions to peacekeeping, peacemaking, and humanitarian aid missions throughout the world. We recall and honour those that faced the unknown, those who retuned forever changes, carrying the burdens on their experiences with them.
Let us take a moment to reflect on the medial staff who served alongside our troops, often under the most harrowing conditions. Their dedication, compassions, and resolve were vital to the survival and recovery of countless service personnel. From the makeshift aid stations, field hospitals, hospital ships and aircraft, and on to base hospitals they were the unsung heroes providing not only medical care but also comfort and hope to those in need. Their contributions remind us that the spirit of service extends beyond the battlespace.
We also remember the families who remined steadfast behind our servicemen and women - the mothers, fathers, partners, and children who endured the heartache of separation, the worry, and the grief. their strength and resilience is as integral part of our national narrative. They are the silent heroes who have supported our soldiers through their darkest days and celebrated their victories, both large and small. Their sacrifices, too, deserve recognitions and gratitude.
Throughout the day you may see some battle with things that they aren't able to un-see, decisions that they cannot un-make, or events that overtook them. For some, ANZAC Day becomes that hardest day of the year. In site of this, they are able to find a way to convey to the next generation, and others, that a simple ceremony like this does not honour militarism; it is a single moment of solemnity, during which we can all reflect on those who have gone, and those who struggle still. Their steadfastness, their selflessness, their compassion and their comradeship.
The late Mr Albert " Ted: Matthews was the last ANZAC to be involved in the initial landings. He said something that all should ponder on today:
"...People say we are glorifying war. This is quite wrong. We are remembering our dead. Anyone who has seen war and glories war is a lunatic. It's an awful business seeing men like that. War is a stupid business, and it doesn't settle anything, mostly. There's politicians that make war but they don't go to it. If they had to go, there wouldn't be any... That's only my opinion..."
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
I now invite the Honourable Catherine King to lay a wreath at the cenotaph.
If anyone else has a wreath , please free to place it now.
If you can stand, please doe so. Gentlemen, please remove your hats.
The ODE:
They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years forget,
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning.
We Will Remember Them
I now invite the Honourable Catherine King to lay a wreath at the cenotaph.
If anyone else has a wreath , please free to place it now.
If you can stand, please doe so. Gentlemen, please remove your hats.
The ODE:
They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years forget,
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning.
We Will Remember Them
LAST POST
SILENCE (2 minutes)
LEST WE FORGET
REVEILLE
The national anthems of New Zealand and Australia will now be played.
Please remain standing if you are able to do so.
Bugler: Craig Latrobe - Creswick Brass Band
New Zealand National Anthem
Australian National Anthem
SILENCE (2 minutes)
LEST WE FORGET
REVEILLE
The national anthems of New Zealand and Australia will now be played.
Please remain standing if you are able to do so.
Bugler: Craig Latrobe - Creswick Brass Band
New Zealand National Anthem
Australian National Anthem
Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our Dawn Service for this morning.
Please thank Craig Latrobe for sounding the bugl calls this morning.
There will be a gunfire breakfast at the senior citizens centre, at the cost of a small donation, should you wish to participate. While gold coins are appreciated, I'm informed that folding money will not be turned away.
To my left is the Field of Crosses commemorating those of the area who had at some time served and and those who did not come home. Those who died in this past year are at the top of the field. There are poppies available to be placed should you wish to locate someone within the field.
There will be a service this morning at 11am following the 1030am march through the town. We will have the CFA, local schools and scts marching along, I encourage you to atend and show appreciataion for thier always exceptional turn out.
Please thank Craig Latrobe for sounding the bugl calls this morning.
There will be a gunfire breakfast at the senior citizens centre, at the cost of a small donation, should you wish to participate. While gold coins are appreciated, I'm informed that folding money will not be turned away.
To my left is the Field of Crosses commemorating those of the area who had at some time served and and those who did not come home. Those who died in this past year are at the top of the field. There are poppies available to be placed should you wish to locate someone within the field.
There will be a service this morning at 11am following the 1030am march through the town. We will have the CFA, local schools and scts marching along, I encourage you to atend and show appreciataion for thier always exceptional turn out.
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Photos courtesy: Terry Hope Productions and Phil Greenbank