The town of Murrumbateman commemorated ANZAC Day 2023 with a morning service joined by hundreds of onlookers at Jones Park, which was coordinated by the Murrumbateman Lions Club.
The ANZAC Day service began at 9:30am with Master of Ceremonies and Yass RSL Sub-Branch Vice-President Alex Schultz-Altmann commencing the service.
Murrumbateman Public School Principal Elizabeth Beasley read the prologue before singer Richard Johnstone sung the hymn ‘The Recessional’.
Flt Lt Catherine Brown RAAF from the Murrumbateman Pony Club read the ‘Prayer of Thanksgiving’ before Lachlan Gibbs from Murrumbateman Scouts read the ‘Prayer for the Nation’.
Johnstone then sung the hymn ‘Abide with Me’ before Commodore Andrew Quinn RAN did his ANZAC Day address.
Inspector Dave Cowell from the Hume NSW Police District read the Commemoration of the Fallen, before Bugler Edward Alley played the ‘Last Post’.
A minutes silence was observed by the crowd before the wreath laying procession commenced, including from Andrew and Nicole Quinn, Alex and Jenny Schultz-Altmann, Yass Valley Councillor Kristen Butler, 1st Murrumbateman Scouts and then members of the public.
Lucy Olsen and Duncan Mead from Murrumbateman Primary School read ‘The Ode’ before the Bugler sounded the Reveille and the flag was raised.
The Australian National Anthem was then played before the ceremony concluded.
The ANZAC Day service was followed by morning tea at the Murrumbateman Country Inn.
Commodore Andrew Quinn RAN was the guest speaker at the service with The Times speaking to him following the ceremony.
“I grew up in Mackay in Queensland and went straight from there to the Defence Academy in 1988. I was 18 years old when I started there. I now live in Canberra,” Quinn said.
“It is amazing to see how the community comes together, especially in country towns when you see most of the community come out.
“Last year I was a guest speaker in Walla Walla between Albury and Holbrook and I’ve also been lucky enough to speak in Toowoomba where I was the Commanding Officer of the HMAS Toowoomba.
“I’ve also taken part in the main parades in Canberra, but to actually be a guest speaker in a community is an honour and a privilege.
“The community was very supportive, and it was an honour to be here in Murrumbateman today.
“There’s an earthiness and connectedness in country towns that is really inspiring. The gratitude for servicepeople and what we do gives us a lot of job satisfaction, but it’s also great for our families to see that the work that we do is appreciated.
“We also bring in the police and the other emergency responders who also get great recognition which they deserve.”
Being 108 years since Australian and New Zealand troops first landed on the shores of Gallipoli, Quinn said that ANZAC spirit is still just as alive today.
“That camaraderie is still there and it’s also really powerful whenever I’ve been deployed with New Zealanders as well. We have a friendship and connection that you just don’t have with any other country I’ve served with. We’re family.”
Tim Warren
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