Surf Coast honours Australia’s fallen

THE hundredth anniversary of the end of World War I was commemorated with a solemn ceremony at Point Danger yesterday (Wednesday). A smaller crowd than previous years attended Torquay’s official Anzac Day dawn service – part of the Anzac Centenary – which recognised not only the Nursing Corps but also the end of the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux exactly 100 years earlier on April 25, 1918.

The guest speaker was a long-time member of the Commando Company listed in the program as Major Dave, who completed Special Forces Selection and Training in 1993 and has held several appointments within Special Operations Command. “In gathering to commemorate Anzac Day, it’s never our purpose to glorify war,” he said.
“I use the term ‘commemoration’ and not ‘celebration’ as Anzac Day is always a time for reflection and remembrance.

“Those who have seen war, with its brutality and its ruthlessness, will never tell tall tales about their experiences, and will do their utmost to avoid going to battle again.” The ode to the fallen was read by Captain Travis Holt.

In Anglesea, two of the town’s oldest veterans made a special effort to be part of the service. World War II veteran Tom Randall, who served in Darwin during the Japanese air attacks, turned 103 in November, is usually the saluting officer for the service but has just now gone into aged care, insisted that he be there for the service.

Mr Randall attended the service alongside the march’s new saluting officer, fellow World veteran Moss Darby (who has just turned 92). Vietnam veteran Barry Marsh was also there.