During the past Anzac week I was honoured to play the bugle at 20 Anzac services, including 10 Shoalhaven schools ranging from one preschool with children of up to five years of age to four high schools with students up to 18 years old. During these services I was most impressed.

My two poignant memories were the young girl who stood with her hand on her heart for the singing of the national anthem and despite the questioning looks from her friends kept her stance and sang the two verses.

The other moment was at the end of a service. A very young boy came up to me, saluted and said, “Why do we have to have wars?”

Unfortunately, it does not end there.

Bomaderry Hotel, which is situated directly across the road from Walsh Park, has recently been renovated. The outdoor drinking area is situated very close to the footpath and virtually overlooks and is within earshot of the park. During the main Anzac service there were drinkers talking, laughing and calling out. One widow left the service in tears.

When confronted, a member of the hotel staff admitted some drinkers were told to leave.

What is most disturbing is that during World War I, this hotel was a convalescent hospital where wounded Diggers were cared for by Red Cross nurses. There is an RSL plaque pointing this out at the front door.

In my opinion the behaviour of these yobbos was sacrilegious and hotels, like other businesses, should not open until noon on Anzac Day. 

I looked up the meaning of the word “yobbo” in the dictionary, where it was defined as “foolish, unsophisticated idiot”. I think I hit the nail on the head.

P. Williams,

Nowra.