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More people than ever came to the main Anzac Day service in Wauchope to remember the troops who landed on Gallipoli beach in World War One, and all those who served.
The president of the Wauchope RSL Sub-branch, Des Hancock said that on that immortal day, the young soldiers, by their deeds and sacrifice, showed the world that Australia was truly a nation.
After walking very lightly in the footsteps of those men, we got a very small sense of what it was like.
- Melinda Pavey MP
“On this day, we remember the sacrifice of such men and women for an idea, for a way of life.
“Let us take strength in the knowledge and hope that our sons and daughters will never forget the examples set by their forefathers,” said Mr Hancock.
He said we should try in our everyday life to carry on those traditions established by past wars and conflicts at such tragic cost.
“We think of every man, woman and child who, in those crucial years, died so that the lights of freedom and humanity might continue to shine.
“We nurture too the obligation of showing gratitude for the peace we enjoy and the responsibility of ensuring that the freedom and liberty so dearly won is not lost by our own indifference.
“So let us mourn with pride, but let us also remember with equal pride those who served and still live,” said Mr Hancock.
After the Recessional hymn was sung, children from Wauchope Public School read the prayer of thanksgiving. St Joseph’s Primary pupils read the prayer for the Queen, and the vice-captains of Wauchope High read the prayer for the nation.
In the commemoration address, the Roads minister and Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, paid tribute to the Wauchope RSL and its president, Des Hancock for showing enormous leadership organising such a beautiful service which attracts a huge crowd in a small town.
She said her grandfather, father-in-law and uncles all served. Four years ago, Mrs Pavey took her son on the Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea where 625 Australians were killed in 1942 and more than 1000 were wounded.
“After walking very lightly in the footsteps of those men, we got a very small sense of what it was like,” she said.
The MP talked about the incredible war graves in Port Moresby.
“That is something that Australia does very well - look after our lost - because it was too far to bring them home.
“And to see those thousands of white crosses in the paddocks was so powerful. My son was just 14 years of age,” she said.
Bugler Tom Horder from MacKillop College played The Last Post and then the hauntingly beautiful words of the Ode were read by Des Hancock.
“They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.”
The bugle sounded Reveille and then everyone sang Abide With Me followed by Advance Australia Fair.