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Wee Waa’s memorable Anzac centenary

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Organiser of the Wee Waa Anzac Centenary Service, Dennis Lowder (centre), marches alongside Leon Wager (left) and Tim Couley.||
The Wee Waa Anzac Centenary Committee, with the support of the local district, held outstanding Anzac Day Centenary services on Saturday to commemorate 100 years since the landing at Gallipoli. 
The organisation of the day could not be faulted and enabled all members of the community, young and old, to pay their deepest respects to the fallen.
The marching procession was a commanding sight as it made its way along Rose Street to the Memorial Clock. 
The march was led by flag bearer, Brandon Willet from Wee Waa High School, and community members dressed proudly in impeccable period costume. This included two Lighthorsemen aboard impressive mounts, as well as representatives of the Infantry, Airforce, Navy and Medical units. 
The student marching band held a strong, steady rhythm which echoed through the streets and set a solemn tone for the day. On arrival at the clock the drumming ceased and silence fell as a steady procession of 163 school children carefully placed a commemorative cross and poppy in sandboxes. 
The crosses contained the details of local soldiers and, in contrast with the bright red poppies, created a striking vision of red and white at the foot of the memorial. 
Readings, orations, music and song including the National Anthem then followed throughout the ceremony. 
Brief pauses in the proceedings were made for a spectacular fly-over aircraft poppy drop and the surprise appearance of an F18 Hornett which roared over the crowd below. 
This had been a tightly held secret known only to Dennis and Letitia Lowder and local pilot Gary Phelps, who coordinated the appearance.
Every effort was made to ensure ceremony was particularly memorable this year. Perhaps a line from the Prologue, a shared reading executed perfectly by local students, could have summed up the importance of ongoing remembrance and thanks.
“We think of every man, woman and child who died so that the lights of freedom and humanity might continue to shine. May we and our successors prove worthy of their sacrifice.”
Local Anglican Minister Bernard Gabbot was able to articulate why Gallipoli holds such an important place in our history and national identity, despite being such a “devastating, bloody failure”.
“We and all Australians recognise that out of the failure that is Gallipoli was born a wonderful vision of what it means to be Australian,” he said.
“The failure of Gallipoli was the proving ground of Australian identity, it was the forging place for the identity we all hold dear, Australians are tough but fair, we sacrifice for the greater good and we help mates who are in strife, Australians never give up.”
He went on to quote an excerpt from the work of Australia’s first official war correspondent, Charles Bean.
“As the troops prepared for an assault on Lone Pine, an Australian approached the front trench and to the men in it he asked ‘Is Jim here?’ to which he heard the reply, ‘Yeah, I’m here, Bill.
“‘Do you blokes mind moving up a piece?’ asked Bill, ‘Him and me are mates and we’re going over together.’”
The service concluded with “The Last Post”, “Reveille”,  “Abide with Me” and “God Save the Queen”.
Attendance was extremely strong with 1000 people estimated to have participated in the Wee Waa morning service, and approximately 350 at the dawn service. The response from the community was resounding gratitude to the Wee Waa Anzac Centenary Committee, in particular committee member Dennis Lowder. Fellow Committee member Pam Callachor said Dennis’s efforts had made for an overwhelming day and was greatly appreciated,
“The Wee Waa and District Community would like to pay special thanks to Dennis Lowder for his major role in organising and ensuring that Wee Waa’s 2015 ANZAC Day Commemoration was such an amazing and special event,” she said.
“Dennis you have made Wee Waa very proud.”
Thanks was also offered to the Choir, Rachel Freer, Helen Revel, Rudi Schwartz and Clinton Freer, as well as musicians Ann Weekes and Helen Cathcart.

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