Hundreds of people across the district flocked to Anzac Day marches and services.
The dawn service at Cohuna attracted more people than in recent years, with pleasant weather a drawcard.
The Anzac Day march saw returned servicemen and women, family representatives, schools, services clubs, Cohuna Fire Brigade and Gannawarra Shire Council represented. Led by the Bendigo Pipe Band, the marchers – many wearing their own medals or those of family members – walked solemnly from the post office to the memorial park via King George Street.
A large crowd surround the memorial park to hear Cohuna/Leitchville RSL president, Geoff Dale, conduct the service, with assistance from military personnel, school children, Gannawarra Shire Council CEO Geoff Rollinson and Sergeant Josh Coombs.
‘Spirit of the Anzacs’ was sung by Johnny Doyle, and Jefferson Smith provided musical accompaniment and played the Reveille, Last Post and Rouse. For many, it was the first time they had sung the Royal Anthem since the passing of the Queen – “God save the King” didn’t quite roll of the tongue easily for those of us who have been singing the previous version since our school days.
Representatives from schools, clubs and organisations laid wreaths on all four monuments in the park.
Leitchville’s service in the hall was attended by a small crowd. Leitchville Progress Association president, Mike Walker conducted the service. Guest speaker was former Leitchville resident and now Cohuna resident, John Brown. John served in the National Service and has been heavily involved in the Cohuna/Leitchville RSL Sub-branch. He explained that Leitchville had its own RSL before World War II, but as numbers declined, it combined with Cohuna.
John read a letter from Alf Morrison serving in Belgium, dated May 12, 1917, outlining that he was well and describing his fresh and green surrounds full of flowers. He then read a letter from Alf’s mother, dated May 26, saying how proud she was of his 12 months in the army. Alf died in battle on June 8 – before he received his mother’s letter. Sadly, his letter arrived after his mother had been informed of his death and, as John says, “She would have endured heartache reading it, knowing that her son had already died.”
Following the service, wreaths were laid at the flagpole at the front of the hall.
At Gunbower, a good crowd attended the Anzac service, which included guest speakers, retired army fitter Jim Bradley and retired Coldstream Guard, Major Rupert Johnston. Following the service, the crowd admired the display of military machines provided by Scrivens in Kerang, and watched on as the cannons were ‘fired’.
See the full ANZAC Day coverage in the issue.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 27 April 2023.
