DELUNGRA showed its honour and respect to the ANZACS, nurses, servicemen and servicewomen, and all fallen soldiers in their annual Dawn Service and an expanded main service.
This year included the blessing and opening of its new War Memorial. Both events drew large crowds, and offered touching and emotional services that commemorated the sacrifice of war.
The dawn service began as usual with about 70 people, heads bowed, observing the gestures of respect to those men and women who have made the great sacrifice in military service. Then, Delungra District Development Council president Jim Townsend with help from Delungra Anzac committee chairman Harry McNaughton led the gathered through the cemetery.
He stopped at each grave, which was respectfully marked with a small tribute memorial, and spoke about the person there laid to rest.
Mr Townsend is a long-time Delungra resident, and knew many of them personally, relating a brief anecdote, sometimes understandable a bit emotional himself. If he was not acquainted with the person, he passed on some kind words all the same.
At the main service, Tony Bayliss led the procession with his horse Ace, tacked up, boots backward, in respect to the symbolic fallen soldier. When the crowd reached the new gates of Anzac park, Mr McNaughton explained to the gathering who the improvements all came about, including the new walls, murals, honour rolls for both Australian and New Zealand ANZACS.
The crowd was large, and Mr McNaughton said there were several visitors among the residents.
“The word got out, I don’t know how far the word spread, but there were people I spoke to from Canberra over the coast,” me said.
“One chap I spoke to was visiting from Canberra looking up his relatives in the cemetery.”
Delungra’s Bishop Michael Pope blessed the gates which were opened by Scott Cole and Emily Mepham and the service began. Inverell Shire Council was represented by councillor Jacki Watts. Both New Zealand and Australian flags were flown for the service with the addition of a second flagpole.
Special guest Warrant Officer Jason O'Reagan, formerly of Bingara, was charged by the Governor General to attend and shared both his thoughts on what Anzac Day means, and an account of the landing at Gallipoli. He presented students from Delungra Public School with a descendent of the Lone Pine to plant on school grounds.
The students and Delungra Girl Guides were integral to this year’s centenary commemoration, balancing the attention of generations who attended and participated.
Wreaths were laid and several new trees were planted in memory of past soldiers.
Mr McNaughton said the services saw their best attendance in recent memory.
“Overall an excellent weekend. The overall theme was a job well-done and everyone was pleased with it,” he said.
“And people I respect from the time I came to the area here came along and had nothing but praise for the whole thing, and that was a bonus. Top day.”