Monday saw the return of the traditional ANZAC Day Commemoration Service in Manilla following the lifting of Covid Restrictions.
In 2020 there was no service at all due to Covid with many residents standing at the end of their driveways at dawn to pay their respects to those who paid the ultimate price in times of war. Then last year (2021) the service was held on the showground due to Covid restrictions. An area where people attending could abide by the social distancing restrictions.
Fast forward to 2022 where the dawn service and main commemoration service were held in front of Memorial Hall in Manilla Street.
The day started with the dawn service at 5.30am in coolish conditions and was very well attended.
Four members of Fire & Rescue Manilla provided the catafalque party infront of the hall.
Master of Ceremonies at the dawn service was Mr Cameron McKenzie.
Following the service many people attended the Manilla Services Club for the traditional ANZAC Day breakfast.
Then at 10.30am participants in the ANZAC Day march gathered in front of the Services Club before heading off down the street for the main service at 11am.
The service was attended by one of the biggest crowds to ever attend an ANZAC Day service in Manilla.
The Master of Ceremonies was Mr Cameron McKenzie. The ANZAC Day Oration was given by Mr Bob Clarke, President of Tingha RSL Sub-Branch and Vietnam Veteran, Royal Australian Engineers.
The Hunter River Lancers from Tamworth provided the catafalque party for the main service.
Hymns were sung, Manilla school students offered prayers for peace, wreaths were laid while Piper played ‘The Lament’. The Last Post was played followed by a minutes silence then Reveille. Singing of the national anthems of Australia, New Zealand and God Save The Queen concluded a very solemn ANZAC Day Service.
Following the main service at the Memorial Hall a ‘Remembering Our Fallen’ service was held at the cenotaph at the Manilla Cemetery.
After the services were completed Return Service personel and invited guests attended the ANZAC Day luncheon at the Services Club.
