Dawn service
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AS the sun rose over Gerringong’s southern headland on Saturday morning a larger crowd gathered to pay their respects for the Centenary of Anzac.
Almost 1000 people turned out for the Gerringong RSL Sub-Branch’s first ever Dawn Service, which also saw the unveiling of a memorial flagpole and plaque at the location.
Gerringong RSL Sub-Branch president John Kaehler said the number of people at the service had surprised him.
“It’s a really great turnout and a lot more than we expected, we thought we might get 500 but to get around 1000 people here is amazing,” Mr Kaehler said.
“In particular it’s great to see the amount of young people here, we’ve got a good relationship with the school in Gerringong and it’s pleasing to see a lot of the students here.”
Speaking at the service, Kiama Councillor Andrew Sloan said Gerringong had a proud history of involvement in World War I.
“Sixty two men from Gerringong served in the first World War, of whom 14 laid down their lives for their friends,” Cr Sloan said.
“A number of families sent more than one man and three of those lost more than one son in the war.
Gerringong was a major recruiting ground during the war, the excitement of war compared to life on the farm or maybe a strong sense of duty or adventure inspired many young men to enlist.”
HMAS Albatross commanding officer Captain Simon Bateman said while more Australian lives were lost at other fronts during the war, Gallipoli had acted as a defining moment for a then young Australia.
“While we lost more lives at Fromelles and Pozieres than during the eight months at Gallipopli, our troops fought at Gallipoli with the tenacity and grit that has come to define the Anzac spirit,” he said.
“For those men the fighting was not the great adventure they had expected.”
Captain Bateman also thanked the crowd for attending and paying their respects.
“We stand here on cliffs and coast lines similar to what the troops faced as they came ashore at Gallipoli.
“We can stand here today and watch the sun rise thanks to the men and women who died for our country and I thank you for coming here today to pay respect to all of our service men and women.”
Gerroa Boat Fisherman's Club Service
HUNDREDS of people congregated at the Gerroa Boat Fishermen’s Club on Saturday morning to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac.
The club’s traditional early morning service was pushed back to accommodate the Gerringong RSL Sub-Branch’s Dawn Service, but that did not deter a large crowd of young and old attending.
The change in time meant many people paid their respects to past and present service men and women twice in the morning after earlier attending the Gerringong service.
Gerringong RSL Sub-Branch vice president Glen Kolomeitz spoke of the evolving nature of Anzac Day and how it allows remembrance of those who have fallen in the near and distant past.
“There would be very few people here today who would personally know anybody who fought at Gallipoli, so it’s a chance to reflect on those who fought 100 years ago,” he said.
“For contemporary veterans like me Anzac Day is a day where we remember those who have lost their lives more recently,
“I rang a few people I served with last night and they all mentioned a few people who they served with that they would be thinking of today.”
While Mr Kolomeitz said Anzac Day had evolved since its inception as a recruitment tool in 1916, he said it was important the day and associated traditions survive.
“Anzac has evolved with time, but tradition and ceremony remains as it should, our traditions contribute to our nationhood, our collective persona as Australians
“I wear a sword today, I certainly didn’t wear a sword in Afghanistan, I wear a slouch hat today similar to what was worn in the past, in Afghanistan I wore a high tech Kevlar helmet.
“Over the years it has been suggested that Anzac Day and Australia Day should be combined and I have seen veterans cringe at the thought.
“Anzac Day must remain, not merely as tradition but rather to show gratitude to sacrifices made by generations of Australians in every conflict.”
Mr Kolomeitz was not against all changes to the day and welcomed the involvement of young people at both the Gerringong and Gerroa services.
“The ide of having young kids be involved by laying poppies is fantastic.
“It teaches them about the day and it’s a great way of ensuring Anzac Day lives on.”