People along the Tweed Coast turned out to en masse to honour the fallen, taking advantage of the fine autumn weather.
This year’s marches and ceremonies had special significance for Tweed Coasters who lost one of their own last year when Sapper Rowan Robinson from Kingscliff was killed in Afghanistan.
Visitors and locals turned out to honour Sapper Robinson and all of those young Australians killed in conflicts around the world during the past 100 years.
While most services were held on April 25, Bogangar got in early with a ceremony on Sunday morning.
The town does not have it’s own RSL sub-branch and so don’t hold a ceremony on the day but community groups, residents and service groups still turned out to honour the fallen in an early morning ceremony.
Members of the Kingscliff RSL Sub-Branch and Legacy attended and helped to organise the ceremony hosted by the Cabarita Beach Sports Club at the memorial between the bowls greens.
Kingscliff sub-branch vice president Brian Vickery said it was the fifth year that a service was conducted at the Cabarita Sports and Bowls Club.
“The crowd was thankful for the service and enjoyed a sincere and most enjoyable speech by LCDR Scott Squires (RAN retired),” he said.
“The setting for the service was complimented by a beautiful day and a succession of people wishing to lay wreaths. The service provided a great start to Anzac week with attendees agreeing it provided a local opportunity for those not able to travel to Pottsville or Kingscliff, to pay their respects on Anzac Day.
“Assistance by 225 ACU from Murwillumbah was really appreciated and it was great to see the young cadets becoming involved in their first Anzac experience.”
Beach Club General manager Brad Beetson said it was a great thing to have at the club.
“It was great to see the different community groups coming together on the day,” he said.
“We received great help from the Kingscliff sub-branch who were here again on the Monday to run a ceremony for our older members of the community.”
He said the memorial was placed between the bowling greens several years ago and proved a focal point for the village at this time of year.
Master of Ceremonies for the morning was Sports Club board chairman Ian Crabb with Pastor Russell Hinds from the Tweed Coast Community Church offering the prayers for the morning while the 225 Army Cadet Unit from Murwillumbah provided the Catafalque party, Bogangar Principal Cath Lalor read a poem by John Smith Williams on Anzac memories while school captains Domique Lonsdale and Hamish Brett recited the Ode and guest speaker Lieutenant Commander Scott Squires spoke on the history and significance of Anzac Day.
People from all walks of life came together for Sunday’s early Anzac Day ceremony at the Cabarita Beach Sports Club.
Gathering at 8am, the crowd included representatives from the Tweed Coast Unit of the SES as well as the Tweed Coast based Rural Fire Service officers, both the men’s and women’s bowling clubs and the Bogangar Public School as well as club members.
Those who gathered were treated to a complimentary BBQ breakfast provided by the club.
Editor Tania Phillips was on-hand with her trusty camera to capture the event.
More Anzac photographs next issue.
