Moama dawn service

Vietnam Veteran and Moama RSL sub-branch president Ken Jones spoke to the heart of what Anzac Day means to him and many others.

“Today is a very sombre day,” he said.

“But it is an enjoyable day as it gives us mates the chance to get back together, some we don’t see for 12 months, but we always catch up today.

“It is a very important day for us.”

Mr Jones described the crowd as the “biggest” he had seen for a dawn service during his involvement with the Moama RSL sub-branch.

“The turnout (this morning) exceeded all our expectations,” he said.

“It is the biggest crowd we’ve had here.

“As we started the service they were still streaming in here, it was just wonderful.”

Mr Jones and Murray River Council Mayor Chris Bilkey were the keynote speakers at the dawn service.

Cr Bilkey paid tribute to Australia’s forgotten soldiers and a history of conflicts, including the current situation in Ukraine.

A fine service was closed out by bugler Laticia Tomkinson, a member of the Echuca Federal Band.

Mr Jones said the dawn service was the first step in a busy day for the Moama RSL sub-branch.

“The day’s only just begun, we’ve got a full day ahead,” he said.

“We’ve got the commemorate service at 9am which is attended by all the school children.

“Later in the day we’ll be out to the club to do the thing we do best …. two-up.”