Hundreds turned out for Berry’s Anzac day march and service on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
READ MORE: Greenwell Point dawn service Anzac Day 2018
Veterans and personnel from HMAS Albatross marched alongside members of Berry Pony Club, Zonta Berry, Red Cross, Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, Country Women’s Association, Berry Museum and the Town Band.
The ceremony opened at Berry’s Memorial Park opened with a rendition of God Save The Queen, after which Mr Ray Strong, president of the Berry RSL Sub-Branch, gave the opening address.
President of the Berry RSL Sub-Branch Auxiliary Mrs Evelyn Strong, gave a prayer of thanksgiving, before Cr John Wells offered a prayer for the Queen.
Berry Public School student Darcy Arnold recited a prayer for the nation, before the student choir sang ‘Lest We Forget’.
Two Berry servicemen who lost their lives in WWI were honoured, brothers Daniel and William Conway.
Commander Fleet Air Arm, Commodore Chris Smallhorn, RAN, gave the commemoration address.
Firstly, commending the Berry Public School students on their singing, describing it as “the most special version of the song he had ever heard”.
“Australians all let us rejoice, for we are young and free – we say that a fair bit,” he said.
“Today I would like to explore the line, what does it mean?
“Perhaps when Peter Dodds McCormick penned that verse in 1878 – of what was to become our National Anthem some 90 years later – he saw in this country’s DNA something.”
Smallhorn said Australia’s freedom “all started at some place and it started with someone”.
“That place was Gallipoli and that someone are all those who fought for their country in times of conflict, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who came home and they lived with the memories,” he said.
The service was made all the more special this year, with three Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A Hornets roaring overhead in flypasts.