General News
3 May, 2025
Brim community gathers to reflect
As thunder clapped overhead and the threat of more heavy rain hovered on the horizon, the Brim community quickly moved inside Brim Town Hall for the Anzac Day service.
Although the outside presentation and flag raising was bypassed this year, newly appointed Brim Anzac committee chairman Rod Gardam welcomed more than 100 people to the service.
After 16 years, Valda Hunter has retired from her position as chairwoman of the committee.
Mrs Hunter had organised many services for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day/Armistice Day and other memorial events, alongside presenting for locals of the Brim community over the many years.
During the Anzac Day service, she was presented with an Anzac bouquet as a gesture of thanks for her service, commitment and dedication to the Brim Anzac committee and the Brim community.
Warracknabeal and District Brass Band set the mood with the hymn 'The Old Hundredth' followed by committee member Pat Gouin reciting the 'Lord's Prayer' and her husband Kelvin Gouin reading the 'Anzac Requiem'.
Guest speaker Pam Cupper, co-author of the first modern ‘Gallipoli Guidebook’, told service attendees of her and her husband's extended travel throughout Gallipoli and the Western Front, specifically to World War I cemeteries and sites of significance to the Anzacs.
Mrs Cupper also spoke of several local soldiers from the Brim and Lah districts, giving insight into both their service and sacrifices made.
The laying of the memorial wreaths followed before a moving rendition of 'The Last Post' filled the Brim Hall, with the hauntingly beautiful bugle notes leading the service into a respectful minute of silence tribute.
The brass band then played with 'God Save The King', the Australian national anthem and one more song before Mr Gardam introduced Brim Anzac committee member Colleen McPherson, who made a special static solider presentation.
Mrs McPherson presented two life-size static soldier mannequins who were dressed respectively in full World War I Australian Army nursing uniform and Light Horse trooper uniform.
She went on to explain the mannequins depicted Nursing Sister Letitia Gladys (Glad) Morton and Light Horse Trooper John (Jack) Campbell Hunter, both of whom were born at Brim.
Mrs McPherson detailed the life and wartime service of Sister Morton and Light Horse Trooper Hunter.
Jack's daughter-in-law, Valda Hunter, sat and listened from the front row alongside his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Attendees were invited to stay after the service for tea or coffee and fresh Anzac biscuits to demonstrate camaraderie as well as to show appreciation and thanks to Mrs Hunter.
