Clear Autumn skies ensured strong crowds at the 2024 ANZAC Day ceremonies in Coolamon last Thursday.

The Coolamon community turned out in strong numbers at the Dawn Service and 11am Commemoration.

One of the Coolamon RSL Sub Branch’s younger veterans, Matthew Higginson, assumed the role of Master of Ceremonies and a number of current serving members of the Australian Defence Force with links to the community were also in attendance.

A flypast by a Cessna O-2A based at the Temora Aviation Museum, a former USAF ‘Bird Dog’ aircraft which saw service during the Vietnam War and one of only two such aircraft to be flown in Australia, signalled the official beginning of the 11am ceremony, with a precision flypast along Cowabble Street and the community expressed its appreciation for the ongoing support provided by the Aviation Museum.

The presence of members of the Riverina Light Horse and outstanding drill by soldiers from the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka and a large and enthusiastic crowd were the highlights of ANZAC Day in Coolamon this year.

The 2024 ANZAC commemoration began with the Dawn Service held at the Cenotaph with a crowd of over 300 in attendance. The service began with the opening prayer being read by Anglican Minister, the Reverend Scott Mudd.

Mayor, Cr David McCann recited the poem ‘The Soul of Australia’.

Members of the Murrumbidgee Light Horse led by Coolamon’s Pat Leary provided the Cenotaph Guard during the ceremony.

Following the Dawn Service, the community gathered to enjoy breakfast supplied by the RSL Sub-Branch, with the assistance of the Coolamon Lions Club and the team from Coolamon Perk. A total of 150 egg and bacon rolls were supplied to the appreciative gathering.

The main ANZAC Commemoration began at 11am preceded by the traditional ANZAC Day March. A large and enthusiastic crowd was on hand to show support to the Veterans and to the various community groups who participated in the march.

The march was led by the light horse contingent and followed by veterans who were unable to participate in march lead by Rodney Bredin of Wagga Wagga on a WW2 vintage motorcycle. Other Veterans followed in a classic car, graciously provided by Phillip Furnell, Chris Nichols and Allan Cain.

Special visitors to Coolamon this year was a contingent of RAAF personnel from the RAAF School of Administrative and Logistic Training based at RAAF Base Wagga under the command of Flight Lieutenant Lisa Green, a resident of Coolamon herself.

A tri-Service Flag Party comprising students from the Coolamon Central School led Coolamon’s ex-servicemen and women under the command of RSL President, Alan Smith. Children from the Coolamon Central School, St Michael’s Primary School and the Marrar Public School also participated in the March.

President of the Coolamon RSL Sub-Branch Allan Smith paid tribute to the participation of the young people commenting on their outstanding commitment in attending the service.

“It is great to see the children participating, especially as they have given up part of their school holidays to be here”, Mr Smith said.

The main service commenced with master of ceremonies Matthew Higginson welcoming the community to the ceremony. After the introductory remarks by the MC he introduced the Reverend Scott Mudd who led a prayer of remembrance.

President of the Coolamon RSL Sub Branch Allan Smith then delivered his address as Sub-Branch President. Mr Smith, a Navy veteran, spoke on the changing role of the Naval service and the role played by Australia’s Naval Forces in the past century.

Mayor of Coolamon Shire, Councillor David McCann OAM delivered the community ANZAC address and called upon the community to reflect on the spirit of ANZAC and for the need to support veterans in the community.

This year’s guest speaker, Flying Officer Belinda McMahon from RAAF Wagga, spoke on the meaning of the day on current serving members of the Defence Force as part of the ANZAC keynote address.

During a special part of the ceremony, Coolamon Central School Captains read the “Roll of the Fallen”. The Last Post was sounded and a minute’s silence was observed. During Reveille, the Australian and New Zealand Flags were raised to the masthead.

Wreaths were then laid by representatives of the RSL and community representatives. Coolamon’s Loraine Farrelly sang the New Zealand National Anthem and Australian National Anthem for which she received considerable praise for her rendition.

After the Service, Master of Ceremonies, Matthew Higginson thanked the community for its strong support of the ANZAC tradition. Mr Higginson also paid tribute to Mel Mayer OAM for looking after the music and public address system used during the service.

Mr Higginson also noted the significant contributions made to the success of this years’ service by the soldiers from the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka and to the members of the Riverina and Southwest Slopes Light Horse who once again supported the ceremony.

Members of the RSL Sub Branch, families and guests then returned to the Coolamon Sport and Recreation Club for the ANZAC Day Lunch.

RSL President, Mr Allan Smith declared the day had been a great success and thanked the community for its continued support of Australia’s National Day of Commemoration. 

See the full coverage and all the photos in the issue.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 2 May 2024.