THE Home Hill community has once again remembered those who fought and died for our freedom as they turned out in large numbers at the various commemoration ceremonies that took place in the town on Anzac Day, Tuesday, April 25.
From the Dawn Service through to the Main Service at the Cenotaph in the Home Hill Park, all sections of the community were represented from Kindergarten pupils through to the older residents who were of an age to have been eligible to have participated in the many conflicts that have taken place around the world, where Australian Servicemen and Women have fought and died.
The one ceremony that is growing every year in numbers of participants is the Dawn Service, with large numbers of people, from individuals through to representatives of all local schools and organisations filling Ninth Avenue in front of the Burdekin Memorial Hall as they remembered those who had given their lives in service to their country in past conflicts.
In front of the plaques that carried the names of those who had paid the supreme sacrifice past conflicts.
The service was led with an address by Home Hill RSL Sub-Branch President, Richard Kelly and Padre Andrew Ballin followed by a first for the Dawn Parade, the hymn, Abide with Me by the Home Hill Choir.
Speakers, Saluting Officer Flight Lieutenant Mark Walters from the RAAF’s 27th Squadron in Townsville and Home Hill High School Captain, Joshua Machin also addressed the crowd as they stood in the growing dawn light.
The speakers were also highlighted by an impressive backdrop of a Quilt made and displayed publicly for the first time by Mrs Annette Kelly, the wife of the Sub-Branch President.
A large number of wreaths were laid in front of the hall followed by the bugler with the Last Post and Reveille and the National Anthem from the Burdekin Brass Band and The Lament by Piper Roy Page.
Anzac Day memories were then extended to the Home Hill Cemetery, where Mr Kelly read out the names of all those Home Hill ex-servicemen and women who returned from overseas conflicts and have since passed away and are interred in the cemetery.
The short service also featured the laying of poppies by those present in memory of those family members and friends who were buried in the cemetery.
Padre Ballin also addressed the small crowd ahead of the playing of The Lament by Piper Roy Page and a hymn by the Home Hill Choral Society.
Many of those who were participating in the commemoration services during the morning were the guests of the Home Hill where a presentation was made to Piper Page for his services in playing the bagpipes at Home Hill commemoration events since 1982.
There was also a display of Post Cards by Home Hill School students, entitled “Post Cards of Honour”, in which they depicted what they thought Anzac Day was all about.
Home Hill Sub-Branch Secretary, Alan Petersen said it showed what the little ones were thinking about Anzac Day, and it was interesting to hear the questions they asked.
The main parade circled most of the block around the Home Hill Park, starting in Tenth Avenue and moving via Eighth Street along Ninth Avenue before marching towards the Cenotaph along the newly laid footpaths.
Addresses were delivered by Home Hill RSL Sub-Branch President, Richard Kelly, Saluting Officer, Flt Lt Mark Walters of the RAAF, Mayor Lyn McLaughlin, Padre Andrew Ballin, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcocks and State Member for Burdekin, Dale Last and Home Hill High School captain, Martina Bojack.
A large number of wreaths were laid before the playing of The Last Post and Reveille and the Lament by Piper Roy Page and the National Anthem by the Burdekin Brass Band.
