ANZAC Day in a small town still feels personal, over a century after the events at Gallipoli. We just need to look around to see how a small community would be impacted by the absence or loss of a large proportion of its men and young people. And the continuing role of ANZAC Day as a time to commemorate and honour those who have served and fallen in Australia’s armed services saw many community members turn out proudly with flags and medals on Friday 25 April.

ANZAC Services took place in several significant sites around the world, with 2,646 people attending the Dawn Service at Gallipoli and 1,650 people at the Lone Pine Service, Türkiye. There were 1,981 people at the Dawn Service of the Australian National Memorial in France, while 3,200 people attended the Bomana War Cemetery service, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

There were no complaints about the inclement weather at the local ANZAC Day services last weekend, as drizzle led to much-wanted rain. Hundreds of people huddled under trees or umbrellas, in rotundas and in halls; some noting that the grey skies contributed an appropriately solemn mood to the proceedings. The RSL and its hard-working volunteers hosted ceremonies and prepared meals for veterans and visitors.

In Maldon, the contributions and sacrifices of the O’Byrne family were highlighted; in particular the loss in WWI of Thomas O’Byrne of Maldon, who enlisted at age 27 and who drowned at sea in 1915 after the ship on which he was travelling was hit by a German torpedo (though the ship itself was able to limp to port for repair). Other members of the O’Byrne family have served for Australia in conflicts since then; members of the family laid a wreath during Friday’s ceremony that contained symbolic foliage to represent them along with eucalyptus, conifers and the traditional rosemary for remembrance. Wreaths were also laid by the 7th and 8th Battalions, Maldon Primary School, Councillor Rosalie Hastwell and the Maldon CERT team. The Maldon Brass Band played, attendees prayed together and it was a suitably thoughtful ANZAC Day.

Support available

Anzac Day can be an emotional time for veterans, families and for those currently serving in the Australian Defence Force. There are resources available, including the local RSL, Bendigo Legacy Club (visit legacy.com.au/clubs/vic/bendigo) and Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling Service, which provides free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families. Open Arms can be reached 24/7 on 1800 011 046 or visit the Open Arms website at openarms.gov.au. SANE Australia has also launched Shoulder to Shoulder, a new online community co-designed with veterans and veteran families to support the mental health of their fellow veterans, partners, families and loved ones, visit: sane.org.

See all the pictures and ANZAC Day coverage in the issue.
This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 2 May 2025.