General News
5 May, 2024
Dawn breaks over a crowd united in reverence
Horsham's Anzac Day dawn service, one of solemnity and quiet reverence, drew one of the largest crowds in years.
Before 6.30am people of all ages waited motionless and silently in the darkness, hundreds spilling from seating under the large marquee at Sawyer Park Cenotaph onto the surrounding lawns.
To the west, street lighting near the Wimmera River cast a faint glow on 542 crosses bedded in the lawn towards the soundshell, representing Horsham and district lives lost in wars.
Of these, 48 were soldiers who died at Gallipoli.
The lightest sprinkle of rain was short-lived but the sky remained cloud-covered as participants in a veterans' march reached their seats in the darkness and members of a catafalque party mount guard took their place after placing a Spirit of Anzac torch.
A light breeze from the west lifted and dropped Australian, air force, navy and army flags which flew at half-mast behind the platform.
These were later raised to full height.
The HMAS Horsham bell, removed from its usual spot in Horsham Rural City Council office for the morning, was struck five times to signal the start of official proceedings, led by emcee Gareth Lane.
In their brief speeches, speakers Horsham Mayor Robyn Gulline and guest speaker Lieutenant David Herbert of Horsham's Unit 128 Transport Troop, spoke of commitment, sacrifice, courage and people lost or wounded.
David Sherry read a poem, The Slouch Hat, and Horsham College student Malachy O'Brien sang both the New Zealand and Australian national anthems before Mr Lane read the names of Horsham veterans who had died since last year's event.
Horsham City Band member Jo Ellis played the Last Post and later joined the band, this time playing the trumpet.
Six bells from the HMAS Horsham bell denoted the end of the ceremony after the laying of wreaths by many people and organisations.
Many then placed poppies in quiet recognition of lives lost.