This years ANZAC Day commemoration was held on Thursday 20th April, 2017. We were blessed with some lovely weather for this special occasion.
On this day, our residents, family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the ANZACs for their courage and sacrifice. We joined together in the singing of our national anthem and listened intently to the symbolic sound of the Last Post. We took the time to honor the memory of the ANZACs and to think of them with gratitude and pride.
We would like to thank all of our guests who attended the Commemoration and make special mention of the following:
David Myers and the Catafalque Party
The Reverend Dr Peter Swaine
Charles Brock WO (Rtd) RAAF, Chairman BlueWave Living
Jennifer Eddy, CEO, BlueWave Living
James Jellyman, Bugler, Central Coast Brass
Elizabeth Swaine, Organist
Frank Fletcher SGT (Rtd), BlueWave Living
Mavis McKinnon, The Shores
Anne Charlton, Chief of Staff,on behalf of Senator Deborah O’Neill
Bob Ward, Central Coast Council
Don Young, National President EDA War Veterans
Mr C Shannon, Woy Woy Ettalong Hardys Bay RSL
Ruth Collins, South Woy Woy Progress Association
Anne Taylor, Legacy
Michelle Nicholas, RAO, BlueWave Living
Bruce Stephens
Marj King, BlueWave Living
This year we chose a beautiful poem about Menin Gate. The poem was recited with heart felt emotion by Charles Brock.
VISIT TO MENIN GATE, S.J. Robinson
“Mother, what’s that big gate for?
It’s stone, and big, and strong.
It’s got so many names on it – the list is very long.
On top of it is a lion, and beneath the arch
Does play a man with a bugle –
it’s so sad, what does it say?
That tune – it makes me shiver.
Read the names once more . . .
O Mother, please tell me what is that big gate for?”
“I’ll tell you what that big gates for”,
Mother thoughtfully replied.
“It’s a monument to your daddy
and all his mates who died.
Some, well, they couldn’t find them,
See – these are their names –
Came up this road to go to war,
And ne’er came home again.
They fought and died like Daddy ..
So many, many more …
And so we don’t forget them:
That’s what that big gates for”.
