As dawn broke across Lachlan Street, the evocative notes of bagpipes rang out, marking the start of ANZAC Day commemorations in Hay; Riverina piper Mark Shepard added to the stirring ceremony, led by Jenny Dwyer.

The catafalque party from the Kapooka 1st Recruit Training Battalion took their places at the four points of the cenotaph, ahead of St Mary’s School students Lacey Headon and Lola Edmonds, who addressed the assembled crowd.

Father Paul Newton offered the ANZAC dedication before Major Ben Jarratt (retired) stepped forward to deliver the commemoration address.

Major Jarratt was born and raised in Hay. He enlisted in 1997 and served in the army until 2014, through a range of postings and appointments, including deployments to Afghanistan and the Middle East.

“Today is not a celebration – it is not an excuse for a public holiday,” Major Jarratt said.

“ANZAC Day is a day of commemoration and deep reflection, when the true human cost of preserving our freedoms and way of life are brought into sharp focus.

“A day set aside to remind us that the freedoms of a prosperous democracy that we all take for granted, are paid for with the blood of our strongest, bravest and truly selfless young men and women.”

After wreaths were laid by Hay RSL, school captains and community members, Hay War Memorial High School (HWMHS) students Miranda Griffiths and Molly Edmunds recited the names of the 134 local servicemen who lost their lives on the battlefields of World War I.

Major Nicholas Harrison recited the Ode to the Fallen.

Major Harrison enlisted in 2004 and served in the Royal Australian Infantry and Australian Intelligence Corps, prior to commissioning as an officer in the Royal Australian Artillery.

After the sounding of the Last Post, a minute’s silence, Reveille and the raising of the Australian flag, a pilgrimage was made to Hay Cemetery for the second part of the early morning service.

The catafalque party once again stood guard, as wreaths were laid at the Hay War section of the cemetery, before Fr Newton led the crowd in the Lord’s Prayer.

Major Harrison again recited the Ode to the Fallen.

Both New Zealand and Australian national anthems were played, with Charly Moorhouse performing ‘Advance Australia Fair.’

The 10am street parade was led by the HWMHS drummers, and included returned service personnel, school students, emergency service members and vehicles, and Hay Vintage and Veteran Car Club vehicles.

The parade paused at the Boer War memorial in Pine Street, where members of the Pearson and Harrison families laid wreaths.

The parade also paused at the Light Horse statue, where Sophie and Tom Cannon also laid a wreath to remember past family members.

The crowd on the lawns in front of Hay’s War Memorial High School enjoyed the sunshine as Mayor Carol Oataway gave the call to remembrance and Fr Newton recited the dedication.

HWMHS captains Emily Caughey and Ryan Curtis delivered the commemorative address.

Ryan spoke of Jim Jacobs, who enlisted by forging his mother’s signature of a permission note, and died during the first battle of the Somme, in 1916.

“Today on ANZAC Day we remember Jim and all the other Hay service personnel, who have given us a future,” Ryan said.

Emily spoke of her family members that have served; her great grandfather, Edward Alfred Fayle, and his brother Ernest and her great uncle John Douglas McCormick, who served in the Vietnam War.

“These were young men not so different from many of us here today, who answered a call far greater than themselves,” Emily said.

“Though their service lies in the past, its meaning has not faded.”

The HWMHS captains’ speeches will be reproduced in full, in coming editions.

The Sing Australia group performed ‘Australia For Me,’ before Corporal Callum McLean gave the dedications.

“Those who have given their lives for freedom, rest proudly in the knowledge of their achievements,” Corporal McLean said.

“May we prove worthy of their sacrifice. In humility of heart and mind, we dedicate this hour to their memory.”

A morning service was held at Booligal, but in Maude, ANZAC Day took on extra significance.

The day also marked 100 years since the community had come together to erect the Maude War Memorial Hall.

Event organiser Catherine Nelson thanked those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

“The first ones we need to thank for this hall are the soldiers who left this district, and fought,” Ms Nelson said.

“For our country, our freedoms and the privileges we currently have.

“We pause to remember the men of Maude, who left quiet river flats and dusty paddocks, to answer a distant call to war.”

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 29 April 2026.