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Following no Anzac commemoration services and marches in 2020 Australia wide due to the coronavirus pandemic and with the current rules and regulations regarding the virus in 2021 Anzac Day was commemorated on the Manilla showground on Sunday
Big crowds were present for both the Dawn and main service.
The Dawn Service commenced at 5.45am in cold and frosty conditions.
The service was led by Cameron Mackenzie with Manilla RSL Sub-Branch Padre Garry Kirk offering a prayer. President of Manilla RSL Sub-Branch Bill Thurtell welcomed all to the service and also recited ‘The Ode’.
Two hymns were sung ‘Nearer my God to Thee’ (led by Margaret Dekkers) and ‘The Recessional’ (led by Garry Kirk) as well as the National Anthem.
Prior to the National Anthem ‘the ‘Last Post’ was played, followed by a minutes silence, then ‘Reveille’.
Also represented at the service was a lighthorse man (David Thurn) leading his horse with a pair of boots reversed in the stirrups in honour of the fallen soldier.
Four members of Fire & Rescue Following no Anzac commemoration services and marches in 2020 Australia wide due to the coronavirus pandemic and with the current rules and regulations regarding the virus in 2021 Anzac Day was commemorated on the Manilla showground on Sunday.
Big crowds were present for both the Dawn and main service.
The Dawn Service commenced at 5.45am in cold and frosty conditions.
The service was led by Cameron Mackenzie with Manilla RSL Sub-Branch Padre Garry Kirk offering a prayer. President of Manilla RSL Sub-Branch Bill Thurtell welcomed all to the service and also recited ‘The Ode’.
Two hymns were sung ‘Nearer my God to Thee’ (led by Margaret Dekkers) and ‘The Recessional’ (led by Garry Kirk) as well as the National Anthem.
Prior to the National Anthem ‘the ‘Last Post’ was played, followed by a minutes silence, then ‘Reveille’.
Also represented at the service was a lighthorse man (David Thurn) leading his horse with a pair of boots reversed in the stirrups in honour of the fallen soldier.
Four members of Fire & Rescue Manilla (Jodie Sing, Craig Sing, Graham Wells and Jake Davey) acted as the catafalque party at both services.
While at the main service three members of the Rural Fire Service acted as flag bearers.
Then at 10am in warm and still conditions residents and visitors started to gather on the showground for the main service.
Prior to the commencement of the main service a march was held on the showground.
The march, was led by the Manilla Pipe Band and participants in the march included returned service personnel, auxiliary members, community groups, emergency service workers as well as school children started under the viaduct and finished in front of the grandstand.
Just after the completion of the march there was a fly over of a plane from the Narrabri aero club.
Master of ceremonies was Cameron MacKenzie.
The service was commenced with The Prologue, followed by Prayers of Thanksgiving (Jessica Paull), For the Nation (Anna Northey) and For the
Queen (Cooper Taylor), followed by ‘Let us make commemoration of the fallen’ (Rayah Fletcher).
Hymns ‘Rock of Ages’ and ‘Abide with Me’ were sung during the ceremony (led by Caroline Morris).
The Anzac Oration was presented by special guest Kevin Anderson (Member for Tamworth).
A poem ‘The Unknown Soldier’ was read by David Ridgewell which was followed by the wreath laying by the RSL Sub-Branch, RSL Ladies Auxiliary, Legacy, community groups, emergency services, school children and members of the public.
The very meaningful service was wrapped up with the playing of ‘The Last Post’, The Ode, one minutes silence was observed followed by ‘Reveille’ and singing of the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems.
Two members of the lighthorse association (David Thurn and Mike Rowlands) were in attendance at the main service.
Following the main service a commemoration service was held at the cenotaph at the cemetery on Namoi River Road.
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