A large crowd gathered at Nhill’s dawn service on Saturday morning, with people of all ages paying tribute to those who served in the nation’s defence forces.

Nhill RSL president John Dunbar said it was the largest crowd he had seen at the dawn service. Merv Schneider also reflected on the strong turnout, saying that in years gone by only a handful of people may have attended.

Bronson Manuel recited In Flanders Fields, while Mr Schneider, who served in the RAAF during World War II, spoke from the heart. He paused at times as he described the trauma of leaving mothers and wives behind, not knowing whether servicemen would return.

The Last Post was performed, followed by a minute’s silence and Reveille by Lucy Blackwood. Mr Dunbar then recited The Ode. The Australian National Anthem was performed by the Nhill-Dimboola Brass Band.

The 11am service began with a march and wreath-laying ceremony, conducted by Mr Dunbar. The march included 101-year-old Merv Schneider, who walked in the procession, and 105-year-old May Craig in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force, who was driven. Both served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.

Ross McFarlane at the Kaniva service, West Wimmera Shire Councillor Helen Hobbs.
Photos: Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times

The march concluded at the Nhill Memorial Centre, where Councillor Rosie Barker welcomed those attending. Guest speaker Henry Berry then shared reflections on his time in Vungtau, where he was in charge of the motor pool.

He recalled a pink Citroen used by the nurses, explaining that he held the key and the nurses had to come to him to use it. He has remained good friends with one of them, an ICU nurse named Anne.

Three hymns were performed by the Nhill-Dimboola Brass Band, which also played The Girls in Grey. The ANZAC Requiem was read by Nhill College captains Corey Shurdington and Lucy Blackwood.

Bronson then led the singing of the New Zealand National Anthem before the service concluded with everyone joining in the Australian National Anthem.

At Kaniva, community members assembled at Band Park for the 11am ANZAC Day service at the Kaniva Cenotaph in Progress Street.

The service included the remarkable wartime story of local serviceman Ernest George Carter.

We will remember them.

See all the pictures from the ANZAC Day 2026 event in the issue.
This article appeared in Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 29 April 2026.