With extra crowds in town for the Supagas Canowindra International Balloon Challenge this week, the Anzac Day commemoration in Canowindra tomorrow 25th April is expected to be one of the largest on record. Anzac Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing in Gallipoli in 1915. It is the
day on which we remember all Australians who served and died in war and on operational service past and present. The spirit of Anzac, with its qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.
Commemorative services take place throughout Australia at dawn to represent the original time of landing of the soldiers. In Canowindra this year the Dawn service will be held at 6am in Memorial Park. Later in the day, at around 10.30am a commemorative march will be held down Gaskill St, with the three local schools, pre-school, emergency services and veterans all marching together before the main service begins at 11am.
This year the guest speaker is Warrant Officer Class Two Geoffrey Coady who was born and grew up in Canowindra and still has family living in town today. Warrant Officer Class Two Coady has been in the Australian Army since 2000 and has some great stories to share with everyone about his service to Australia.
Respect the Day is a campaign of the RSL & Services Clubs Association to remind people of the special significance of Anzac Day and to encourage Australians to reflect on how we should behave on this sacred day. Anzac Day symbolises the sacrifices made by our defence personnel in all theatres of
conflict at all times and the service of all veterans to Australia irrespective of overseas service, full or part-time service, serving or ex-service, male or female.
It is for these reasons that Anzac Day is so important. It is a time to reflect as a nation on our values, and our traditions, and to show our appreciation for those who gave everything to protect our way of life. With this in mind, we are urging people to remember the importance of Anzac Day, and what it stands for.
Commemorate the day, celebrate the traditions, but be respectful and responsible.