A large group of community members attended the Hazelbrook/Woodford Anzac Day Service for 2018 today.
The march and service by Gloria Park in Hazelbrook gives schools, emergency services, residents and groups – including the Hazelbrook Girl Guides, the Hazelbrook Men’s and Women’s Bowling Club, as well as the local football and croquet club members, among many more – the chance to pause and reflect the service of Australia’s men and women.
Bagpiper James Thornhill again led the march and leading the service was, once again, veteran Angela Lougheed, who was pleased to see Australia’s women being more formally recognised this year. Ms Lougheed proudly wore her own medals, as well as her father’s.
The Rural Fire Service members from Hazelbrook – Deputy Captain Cris Hofland, Captain Luke Ham and members Samuel Dvorak and Tristan Blattman secured Bonnie View Avenue with RFS trucks and road blocks to ensure the crowd’s safety.
Reverend Robert Evans (OAM) delivered the moving commemorative prayer of the fallen, while veteran John Lougheed gave the commemorative address praising the large number of people, especially the young, who had chosen to be a part of, or a witness to, the service. Stephanie Lawson from the Hazelbrook/Lawson Girl Guides offered up a prayer for the Queen. Lesley Lennox from the Hazelbrook Women’s Bowling Club delivered a prayer for the nation and Hazelbrook Public School’s representative Brian Nicol gave a moving reading of In Flanders Fields. Wreaths were laid by councillors Romola Hollywood and Chris Van der Kley as well as MP Trish Doyle among many others.
Many military families attended including Clive and Kay Plummer. Clive wore his medals from Malaya, while Kay proudly wore her sister’s medals from Vietnam.
The commemorative service concluded when all the children at the event combined at the centopath to sing the national anthem.
