Anzac camaraderie and catch-ups return

INVERLEIGH RSL’s outgoing president Malcolm Johns has said the “beautiful” part about marking Anzac Day in 2021 is that people will be a part of outdoor commemorations once more.

For many years, his RSL sub-branch has looked after services at Bannockburn, Teesdale, Shelford and, of course, Inverleigh.

Last year “was a very lonely affair,” as a small team from the RSL visited all those places. The moments of remembrance looked different to services they’d seen before.

“I started at home with a little family service out the front with a wreath and a banner at six o’clock, before a couple of us went to the other monuments, which was very moving in a way,” Mr Johns said.

“Everything was so quiet at each monument. I took the music, so we had the last post and the reveille echoing around the townships, but naturally, there was no one else there to observe them.

“Whilst they were significant, they were lacking that community involvement where everyone could pass on their respects as a group, and RSL members, servicemen and women missed the opportunity for camaraderie, socialising and catching up.”

Once the services concluded last year, Mr Johns headed back to his home, which he said was very quiet, having not had the chance to “mingle” with fellow veterans that rarely get to see one another.

But this year, although following COVID-safe guidelines, procedures are back to normal.

The Bannockburn dawn service is at 6am, before the team heads to meet those paying their respects in Teesdale at 7am.

Shelford locals will see the Inverleigh RSL crew at 7.45am, before they head back to their home base for the Inverleigh memorial service at 9.15am.

“It’s well worth running all the services, because a lot of people enjoy them, including young families and children, which is what we need to keep our military traditions going,” Mr Johns said.

“After our last service at Inverleigh, we’ll have refreshments and food for our members. Our hall is so small, but there is a large area around, so we can gather outside.

“We’re well supported at Inverleigh RSL. Our membership was at 10 in 1988, but we’ve built it to around 40, which is good for a little traditional rural sub-branch.”

Deema Johnston is the incoming president at Inverleigh RSL.