Two years have passed since the Yass Valley was last able to celebrate ANZAC Day together, and whilst proceedings were not entirely back to normal, the community flocked in droves to their respective local services and festivities.
Yass, Murrumbateman, Sutton, Binalong, Bowning and Wee Jasper all had their commemoration events, all putting their own spin on things.
Reverend and MC of the services in Yass, Steve Neuhaus said the dawn service drew a crowd similar to the 11am service which was relatively uncommon compared to recent years.
“The main service was potentially a little bit down because we didn’t have the march, and maybe more people came to the dawn service,” he said.
State MP for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman was in attendance for the Yass dawn service, alongside Yass Valley Mayor Rowena Abbey.
Wee Jasper residents and visitors to the reserves marched to the tune of a lone piper across the Wee Jasper bridge up to the Wee Jasper Community Memorial Hall. Local school principal Michelle Andrews and students held the Australian Flag at the front, and children on horseback brought up the rear.
Students Dougal and George Cathles read out the names on the Honour Roll during the service. Bugler ‘Alexander Fraser played the Last Post’ and ‘Rouse’. Handmade wreaths were placed at the Memorial as Graham Hannaford played a stirring lament on the bagpipes.
Over at Binalong, local resident Nigel Wong said their service had a “big turnout” and had a few thankyou’s he wanted to make.
“Thanks to Natalie Booth and Christine Davies from NSW Police for attending, Garth Chisholm, George Elliott, Binalong VRA, Binalong Public School and Robin Winterflood for her bugling skills.”
There were games of two-up on offer at many venues across the Valley, with some punters getting a little over-exuberant with their bets as the night wore on at the Yass Soldiers Club.
Max O’Driscoll
