It started as a solemn few, standing to attention in silence.
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As the dawn drew closer though, the trickle turned into something more — until eventually almost 100 people surrounded the war memorial in Nagambie to mark Anzac Day, 2023.
Nagambie RSL member Ken Lewis chaperoned the short ceremony, as those in attendance paid their respects to the fallen and the fighting.
Afterwards, as the crowd dispersed towards local establishment Harry’s Cafe for sustenance, Nagambie resident Ben Gillies remarked on the tight-knit nature of the event.
Anzac Day, 2023: Nagambie.
Photo by
Djembe Archibald
“It is good, (and I’m) glad to see something happening here rather than dropping out to Seymour,” he said.
“Seymour has a much bigger turnout and a much more formalised event but it’s good to see that we’ve got something going locally as well.”
Nagambie dawn service, Anzac Day, 2023: Ben Gillies.
Mr Gillies, who served as a corporal in Afghanistan, said the day had always held great significance.
“It means as much as it did before I served, it’s always (been) a day of remembrance,” he said.
“You think about who we have lost and what we has gone on and you pay respects to those who have come before.”
Nagambie’s main event for the day was its march, scheduled for 10am.
Vietnam service medallions: Paul Mainwaring was among those in attendance. He served for 21 years in the Australian Army and spent almost a year in Vietnam.
Photo by
Djembe Archibald
Nagambie dawn service, Anzac Day, 2023: Ken Lewis.
Anzac Day, 2023: Nagambie’s war memorial.
Photo by
Djembe Archibald
Paying respects: Nagambie dawn service, Anzac Day, 2023.
Nagambie dawn service, Anzac Day, 2023: Around 100 people attended.
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