Cobar Army Cadet Unit helps Tilpa commemorate ANZAC Day
Wednesday April 29, 2009
The Cobar 221 Army Cadet Unit at Tilpa on Saturday following the village’s 11am ANZAC Day service. ▪ Photo contibuted
Many firsts occurred in Tilpa for this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations.
Among the firsts this year was the involvement of the Cobar 221 Army Cadet Unit, who participated in the first ever ANZAC Day march at Tilpa and formed a catafalque party at the War Memorial.
Tilpa’s Michael McInerney reported that two veterans also joined in the march, and the largest crowd ever (110 people) attended the services. The village also held its second ever dawn service (the first was held in 2004), with 80 people attending.
The dawn service began with the marching in of the Cobar cadets, before Michael McInerney welcomed everyone to Tilpa and explained the history of the dawn service and the origin of ANZAC Day.
Captain Geoffrey Evans, Adjutant Brigade Headquarters Australian Army Cadets, gave a moving address on the significance of ANZAC Day and “the debt we all owe to the men and women who have served their country and given their lives so that we can live in a free Australia”. James Ryan, Tilpa’s only resident returned serviceman, read the Prayer of Remembrance and Major Chris Boucher AAC read “We shall keep the Faith”.
As is a tradition, the Roll of Honour was read and ‘The Last Post’ sounded, followed by one minute silence and the Ode (read by Captain Doug Peisley AAC) and ‘Rouse’.
Another unusual part of the Tilpa service was the playing of both the Australian and New Zealand national anthems (the two countries which make up ‘ANZAC’).
Many of those who had attended the Dawn Service also returned for the 11am service.
The two local veterans led the march into town over the bridge, followed by the Cobar cadets who again formed a catafalque party at the War Memorial, and Adelaide Elliott rode in the march.
Following the welcome and an explanation of the significance of the additions to the Tilpa War Memorial for ANZAC Day, prayers were read by Colin Middleton, Matt Elliott, Carol Williams, Kerry Smiles and Herb Hemley.
Commemoration addresses were given by Reverend Captain Ron Spindler of the Anglican Church and Captain Geoffrey Evans.
Following the reading of the Roll of Honour wreaths were laid on the memorial by James Ryan (on behalf of the Tilpa community), Mr Middleton (in memory of his father) and by a member of the Cobar Cadet Unit.
Mr McInerney said the Cobar Cadet Unit and their officers displayed “professionalism and proficiency” during the service and their attendance was appreciated by everyone.
“The Cadets are a credit to their unit, their officers and their families,” Mr McInerney said.
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