Over the past few years the numbers attending both the Dawn Service and the March have increased, and this year was no exception with everyone commenting there was a significant increase in the number attending the Dawn Service.

This year we had a number of family groups attend our services from around Australia who have links back to Urunga through descendants and they were most welcome. The Marshall family provided a number of items for our new memorabilia cabinet and these are now on display at C.ex Urunga for the community to share. It has been amazing to see just what war memorabilia is available in the Urunga area from both WW1 and WW2 and we are grateful to everyone who has assisted in filling our cabinet in the two weeks it has been in place.

This year’s march was led by a number of our veterans riding in jeeps and thanks go to Merv Kennedy for making this possible. These veterans have not been able to march in the past because of health problems and this enabled them to join in.

For the past 11 years we have had great support from Major Julia and Major Steve Metcher from the Salvation Army at our services and is it sad to think that this was their last year with us on ANZAC Day. We wish them both well in retirement and hope that they will think fondly of Urunga wherever they are next ANZAC Day.

Once again we were privileged not to have to rely on taped music for both the Last Post and Reveille, so a BIG thank you to Lauren Pengilly for again supporting our Sub-Branch and we hope the relationship we have forged will Lauren will continue for many years. Al Thomas once again provided his sound system so everyone attending was able to hear what was taking place and we thank him for his support.

We also acknowledge the support of the Urunga Mylestrom Chamber of Commerce for their assistance and adding the Australian flags along the street and around the cenotaph. A special thank you also to Debbie Rose who produced the Order of Service that was distributed to those attending the main service.

The boys from 41 RNSWR in Coffs Harbour provided the Catafalque Party and having them adds to the occasion and we are thankful for the Defence support to our Sub-Branch when all units are stretched due to operational commitments and the significance of this the 100th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.

Thanks go to the local schools, Urunga Public School, Raleigh Public School and Bellingen High School, who marched with us this year and involving these younger members of the community will ensure the spirit of ANZAC will not be forgotten in the future. Over a number of years we have forged a very strong relationship with the Urunga Public School and three of their young leaders read a prologue and poem during the service. A special thank you to Bellingen High School students, reading a very inspirational piece on what ANZAC Day meant to them and Tiarni Naylor singing a very moving song – it is a daunting experience to stand in front of an audience and speak and it is a credit to these young students to stand in front of a town on a day like this and do their school and parents proud.

The SES and RFS again provided assistance by ensuring the marchers were safe and providing traffic control and we thank them for this important task.

Again I would like to thank the people of Urunga who lined the main street during the march and applauded as we marched to the Cenotaph, it makes your chest swell with pride as you march along and hear the applause and gives you time to reflect on past experiences.

Barb Piggott

Secretary, Urunga RSL Sub-Branch.